Automated Carbon Formation Reactor

Future NASA applications have a critical need for improved process technologies for life support loop closure to enable extended manned exploration missions beyond Earths atmosphere. A critical component in life support loop closure is removing CO₂ produced by the crew from the cabin atmosphere and chemically reducing it to recover the O₂. The current life support system on the International Space Station is the Sabatier reactor, in which the CO₂ is converted to methane, which is vented as a waste product. This results in a loss of hydrogen, requiring the space station to constantly replenish the system with onboard tanks. pH Matters technology demonstrated in Phases I and II is able to effectively convert the metabolic CO₂ for a four member crew with solid carbon as the waste product. This solid carbon can be used for other purposes on board the ISS or can be stored for use in other locations. It is fully automated, has a small footprint and a low resupply mass, and has similar average parasitic power to the Sabatier system. The focus of the Phase II-E effort will be to bring the supporting subsystems to flight ready status.

NASA has a need for improved process technologies for life support loop closure to enable extended manned exploration missions beyond earth’s atmosphere.  The automated carbon formation reactor is necessary to efficiently recover oxygen for manned missions to deep space, Mars, lunar missions, and for reducing supply requirements to the International Space Station (ISS).  A critical component in life support loop closure is the removal of metabolic carbon dioxide (produced by the crew) from the cabin atmosphere. The CFR reactor demonstrated on this project could be used by other aerospace companies interested in manned space exploration including, Lockheed Martin, Blue Origin, and SpaceX.  The reactor technology developed on this program could be used to continuously grow carbon materials which could be used in a wide range of applications including electro-active carbons for fuel cells and batteries.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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