High Efficiency Hydrogen Separation Membrane Module for Space Oxygen Recovery Systems

NASA has been investing in several CO2 reduction technologies which face challenges in high temperature gas purification and/or separation for CO, H2, and hydrocarbon rich streams. A compact hydrogen purification assembly that can be readily installed and steadily operated in the human spacecraft environment is urgently sought. Being robust at high temperature, capable of efficient H2 separation and excellent hydrothermal stability and chemical resistance, Bettergy is developing composite zeolite membrane system that can separate hydrogen from the acetylene without occurrence of hydrogenation reaction. A two-stage configuration will be employed in the mode of continuous operation to obtain maximum H2 recovery (>95%) with acetylene rejection of >99%. This novel system will be an efficient and reliable unit for the hydrogen separation process in ISS to treat high temperature gas mixtures such as hydrogen and hydrocarbon rich streams. In the Phase II program, the membrane fabrication process will be optimized. Tubular/hollow fiber membrane modules will be fabricated, evaluated and delivered.

A robust, highly efficiency separation system recovery for hydrogen separation without occurrence of hydrogenation reaction can provide additional hydrogen to react with CO2, which will be able to increase the percentage of oxygen recovery from carbon dioxide and realize a fully closing the Air Revitalization System (ARS) loop.

The system could potentially used for hydrogen production from various sources such as methane pyrolysis, water-gas-shift reaction, methane reforming and ammonia cracking.

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