← Back to NASA Technology Projects
Active TRL 4 (started at 2, targeting 5)
This project develops a post-fire cabin atmosphere clean up system. In the event of fire or chemical release, the cabin atmosphere is purified by flowing cabin air through an air purification bed. The bed contains granular media to remove acid gases and volatile organics, and a custom “corkscrew filter” to remove smoke particulates and fine water mist from the discharge of a fire extinguisher. Rapid cabin atmosphere requires fast flow through the air purification filter, the pressure drop across the air purification filter needs to remain low throughout the cleanup process. Conventional air filtration systems suffer clogging and increased flow resistance as the filters are loaded. Clogging is especially troublesome if the air contains substantial amounts of smoke particulates and substantial amounts of fine water mist droplets from the discharge of a water based fire extinguisher. NASA has developed a unique air filtration technology, referred to as a multiplexed inertial filter or as a corkscrew filter. These filters can be tested in a 1-g environment, and accurately measure performance in microgravity environments. These filters can be designed to have the capacity to capture and contain large amounts of smoke particulates and water droplets without clogging. This project develops a post-fire cabin atmosphere clean up system, with special emphasis on removal of liquid droplets and fine particulates.
The key performance parameters for an emergency cabin air purification cleanup system include the time to clean up the cabin and the capacity for contaminant capture. State of the art commercially available depth filters have a limited capacity, because they are prone to clogging. When depth filters become loaded with particulates or with fine liquid mist, their pressure drop increases, flow-rate through the filter drops, and cabin cleanup time increases. Multiplex inertial (corkscrew) filters can be designed to flow freely even after they have captured and contained large amounts of particulates and fine liquid droplets. The corkscrew filter shown in the photo can capture and contain >1 liter of liquid in the form of 40 micron diameter droplets, with no measurable increase in flow resistance.
Another project benefit relates to testing in a 1-g environment. Pleated HEPA filter performance in microgravity cannot be accurately predicted using 1-g test results. Captured water settles into “bottom” of the filter, leaving open air paths in the “top” of the filter. In microgravity, this settling will not occur - a pleated filter may perform well in a 1-g environment and clog in a microgravity environment. Multiplex inertial (corkscrew) filters can be accurately tested in a 1-g environment.
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — 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.
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.