CC22 NASA Particle Partition Challenge

We are looking for technical designs for subsystem or component technologies for continuous separation and collection of soot-like carbon particulate material from a hot flowing gas stream. Carbon particulates are produced by a continuous catalytic process and are carried into a recirculating gas stream while the reactor is operating at working temperature and pressure. Particulate removal prevents carbon contamination of downstream components, including piping, valves and other actuators, gas composition sensors and flow meters, condensing heat exchangers and other process hardware such as follow-on reactors. Condensing heat exchangers can be fouled easily because of the presence of liquid water. In addition, there must be means for the collected carbon to be safely removed for disposal.
Currently under development at NASA, the Continuous Bosch Reactor leverages the Bosch reaction to recycle waste CO2 into water vapor, which is condensed and used as a source of oxygen for the crew to breathe. A major issue that prevents the implementation of the reactor is the safe and efficient removal of its carbon byproduct. As much as 1 kg (2.2 lbs) is produced per day if all the crew?s CO2 is processed. The carbon forms as fine particles, which can foul filters and downstream condensers. If effectively collected, there is potential for the carbon to be repurposed or prepared for disposal. This challenge seeks to identify novel ways that fine carbon particles can be safely and efficiently removed from a Bosch reactor, without impacting the reactor's performance. NASA is interested in compact, lightweight, and low power solutions that will easily integrate into a continuous Bosch reactor, effecting reliable and continuous separation of carbon particulates that are formed during the Bosch reaction. An accompanying junior challenge was run to garner participation for U18's and help to develop an interest in NASA and science in youth. This second challenge succeeded in engaging 84 youth to develop submissions.

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.