Plasma Assisted Trash Conversion with CO2 Carrier Gas

This FY20 project aims to take the current plasma waste degradation technology a step further. Instead of using air as the carrier gas, the plasma torch will be run using carbon dioxide which is a waste stream from crew metabolic activity. A second stage, in-line non-thermal plasma treatment will also be implemented to further break down product gases into safe, stable products. This unique secondary product gas treatment stage will provide insight on how the two plasma systems interact; it may also be used to treat product gases from a variety of thermal degradation processes. The ideal goal for this technology would include the ability to have a semi closed-loop system by which the product gases from plasma treatment can be introduced back into the carrier gas stream, effectively using the waste to break down more waste. Phase I: Demonstrate waste conversion using CO2 as the carrier gas in the plasma torch. Ideal success would be on par with results from using air as carrier gas (>80% solid to gas conversion). Phase II: Perform in-line non-thermal plasma treatment to further break down product gas stream into safe, stable products. This secondary treatment should reduce the amount of long-chain hydrocarbons present from products formed during Phase I. Phase III: Augment carrier gas with product waste stream to further reduce reliance on spacecraft commodities and move towards a semi closed-loop waste conversion system.

On a long-duration crewed mission – such as one to a lunar basecamp, or on Gateway as a stepping stone to Mars – a large amount of food and logistical supplies are required which eventually generate trash that would take up valuable space on the vehicle. This necessitates the use of some waste conversion technology.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.