Sorbent-Based Atmosphere Revitalization (SBAR) for Habitation System and Exploration Applications

Project Objective  

Sorbent-Based Atmospheric Revitalization (SBAR) is a compact, NASA-patented, adsorption-based carbon dioxide (CO₂) scrubber and humidity removal system for human space transportation and habitation systems.  

Project Description 

The Marshall-developed SBAR system is a low-resource technology for CO₂ and humidity removal that has been shown to be a viable and competitive technology when compared to other state-of-the-art technologies. The SBAR system utilizes zeolites, which are nontoxic, nonflammable, and commercially available adsorbent materials packed in layers in a two-bed assembly. Zeolites have been proven effective and safe in spacecraft including Skylab and the International Space Station.  

SBAR's novel approach allows operation without thermal regeneration for short mission durations and unlimited operation with periodic thermal regeneration.  The system utilizes zeolites type 13X and 5A packed in layers in a two-bed assembly. Flow passes through the first 13X layer to remove water vapor. A portion of the dehydrated flow bypasses downstream bed layers and is returned to the cabin. The remainder of the flow passes through an additional layer of 13X to remove residual moisture and through 5A to remove CO₂. The second bed of the system is simultaneously placed under vacuum to allow the CO₂ and H₂O to be removed. Each bed has three locations for vacuum access. The valves are sequenced during the desorb cycle so that the vacuum source is opened to the flow inlet end of the bed (13X side) first. The center port is then opened to the vacuum source, and then finally the 5A end of the bed is placed under vacuum. This sequence ensures the material with the greatest water loading is evacuated first and that the flow direction minimizes water propagation into the 5A material.

The 2025 effort included technological advancement of the SBAR system for regenerative and non-regenerative applications by incorporating internal heater fins to increase desorption efficiency and reduce power consumption compared to previous heater location external to the beds. Additionally, the adsorbent beds were packed utilizing a “snowstorm” technique to reduce zeolite attrition and dusting.

Project Results and Conclusions 

At the conclusion of 2025, an updated SBAR development unit and test stand, including facility connections, software, and data acquisition needs, was completed.  The goals to incorporate internal heaters along with improved adsorbent packing were met. The team also achieved significant progress towards testing, including modeling of SBAR systems for specific NASA missions with the intent to move into testing in 2026. Other accomplishments include a published NASA Technical Memorandum and a New Technology Report for integrated plenum valves. SBAR has received significant interest from NASA programs for use in human space transportation and lunar and cislunar habitation systems.

Further development of the SBAR system aligns with Marshall's pursuit of highly reliable, robust environmental control and life support (ECLSS) systems for habitation development and exploration missions. Having a wide range of applications within the space sector, as well as within the government and private industry, positions SBAR as an ideal technology for MSFC investment and potential future partnerships. 

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