Selection and Characterization of a Liquid Sorbent for CO2 Removal in Advanced Exploration Systems

Date

2017-07-16

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

47th International Conference on Environmental Systems

Abstract

Removing carbon dioxide (CO¬2) from a spacecraft environment for deep space exploration requires a robust system that is low in weight, volume, power, and reliability. Extended missions beyond low Earth orbit (LEO) presently do no utilize long term reliable technology. Current CO2 removal systems, such as the carbon dioxide removal assembly (CDRA), use solid sorbents that demand high power usage due to high desorption temperatures and a large volume to accommodate for their comparatively low capacity for CO2. Additionally, solid sorbent systems contain several mechanical components that significantly contribute to a large overall mass. Liquid sorbents have been evaluated as an alternative and are proposed to consume 65% less power, weight, and volume than solid based CO2 scrubbers, and therefore offer simplicity leading to reliability. This paper presents the evaluation, test data, characterization, and selection of a liquid sorbent for CO2 removal in deep space exploration.

Description

Tanya Rogers, NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) - Jacobs Technology, USA
Matthew Paragano, Yale University, USA
John Graf, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), USA
Darrell Jan, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), USA
Grace Belancik, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), USA
Broerman Craig, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), USA
Shayne Westover, HX5, USA
John Hogan, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), USA
ICES302: Physio-chemical Life Support- Air Revitalization Systems -Technology and Process Development
The 47th International Conference on Environmental Systems was held in South Carolina, USA on 16 July 2017 through 20 July 2017.

Keywords

Air Revitalization, Liquid Sorbents, Liquid Characterization, CO2 Removal, Liquid Sorbent Selection

Citation