Development of CO2-Capturing Ionic Liquid Solutions for Spacecraft Air Revitalization Systems

This proposal addresses the development of CO2-capturing ionic liquid solutions for spacecraft air revitalization systems. Air revitalization in closed environments is a mission critical task for NASA, with the chief technical challenge being the removal of CO2 from the recirculating air supply. Specifically, efficient removal of CO2 from closed space craft environments is a NASA research and development priority as stated in the NASA Technology Roadmap Technical Area (TA) 6: Human Health, Life Support, and Habitation Systems document. The practical significance of this requirement was recently illustrated in a NASA study that showed that 7% of the genes changed their expression during spaceflight, which was attributed to metabolic stress on the body due to elevated CO2 exposure in the spacecraft. Additionally, NASA is concerned with cognitive and behavior effects on humans exposed to increased levels of CO2.3. On the international space station, CO2 removal is currently accomplished using a thermally regenerable solid zeolite, Grace 13X. While effective, the solid zeolite has a number of logistical problems including the production of dust from the absorbent bed and sensitivity to ambient humidity. A similar separations challenge exists on submarines, where closed environment CO2 removal is a crucial part of the life support system. On submarines, CO2 is removed via chemical capture with an aqueous ethanolamine solution. This is also an effective process, but with significant disadvantages; chiefly, the volatilization of the amine, which creates a foul odor, can damage electronics and presents long term heath effects. Furthermore, regeneration of the solution (desorption of the CO2) is somewhat energy intensive as the large thermal mass of the solution (often 70 mass % water) must be heated to promote desorption. While the energy requirement is moot on a nuclear submarine, power consumption is a key concern for spacecraft.

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.

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