CO2 Removal from Spacecraft Environments by Liquid Systems

Abstract

Capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from air has multiple applications, ranging from reduction of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere to maintaining a breathable atmosphere in space stations, space vehicles or submarines. Since the inception of the human spaceflight, methods for maintaining a safe concentration of CO2 in cabin environments have focused on solid adsorbents or reactants instead of liquid removal technologies. However, due to the increasing concern over anthropogenic global climate change, there has been substantial development of liquid systems for post-combustion CO2 capture. In this paper, we discuss these alternative means of CO2 removal for spacecraft environments, the key performance metrics, and challenges associated with implementation of these technologies. We also present data from various tests performed at Yale University.