Regenerable Sorbent for Combined CO2, Water, and Trace-Contaminant Capture in the Primary Life Support System (PLSS)

The NASA objective of expanding the human experience into the far reaches of space requires the development of regenerable life support systems. This proposal addresses the development of an integrated air-revitalization system for the space suit used in Extravehicular Activities (EVAs). The proposed innovations are: (1) a single CO2, trace-contaminant, and H2O management unit; (2) a single sorbent possessing the capability to remove CO2, trace contaminants, and H2O; (3) monolithic sorption unit to provide the following functions: (a) CO2 sorbent; (b) trace-contaminant sorbent; (c) H2O sorbent; (d) low pressure drop; (e) good thermal management (heat transfer and low heat of adsorption); (f) resistance to dusty environments; and (4) regenerable operation. The overall objective is to develop a CO2/trace-contaminant/H2O removal system that is regenerable and that possesses weight, size, and power-requirement advantages over the current state of the art. The Phase 1 objectives were: (1) to demonstrate the technical feasibility of using a novel CO2 sorbent; and (2) to demonstrate effective CO2, ammonia, and H2O sorption and regeneration. These objectives were successfully accomplished. The Phase II objectives are to optimize sorbent properties and performance, to design, construct, and test a prototype, and to provide guidelines for the integration of the proposed concept with the PLSS. This will be accomplished in the following tasks: (1) Sorbent Development and Optimization; (2) Testing in Subscale Systems at Hamilton Sundstrand; (3) Prototype Design; (4) Prototype Construction; (5) Prototype Testing; and (6) System Evaluation.

The main application of the proposed technology would be in spacecraft life-support systems, mainly in extravehicular activities (space suit) but, after modifications, also in cabin-air revitalization.

Greenhouse gas mitigation is a potential application. DOE is aggressively pursuing technologies beyond pumped aqueous amine systems that can be used for point source reduction of CO2. These systems must offer lower cost of capture compared to the pumped amine systems. Our sorbent can offer an attractive alternative for better CO2 removal compared to the pumped amine systems. This can translate into smaller systems, lowering capital costs. Our system is also expected to provide more efficient regeneration (lower thermal energy requirement), thus reducing operating costs. The monolithic support also offers pressure-drop advantages for CO2 capture from the flue gas. European and US manufacturers are having more difficulty with single-use CO2 scrubbers due to the increased disposal costs. Regenerable technologies will provide advantages when the overall life cycle costs are counted (e.g., disposal). The proposed technology may also find an important application in air-revitalization on board U.S. Navy submarines and in future air-conditioning systems.

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