High Pressure Electrochemical Oxygen Generation for ISS

Giner, Inc. has developed an advanced electrochemical static vapor feed oxygen (O2) concentrator (SVFOC) that offers a simple alternative to the use of pressure swing adsorption (PSA) systems to generate high pressure oxygen for ISS and future human space flight applications. The SVFOC is based on proven electrolyzer technology demonstrated at Giner and delivers a continuous stream of dry O2 with a highly controllable oxygen pressure (0-3600 psig) by feeding deionized water and air into the stack. Generation of pure oxygen at 3,600 psig is particularly applicable for filling tanks used for extravehicular activity (EVA) directly. The water necessary for the electrochemical O2 pump is delivered as vapor by Giner's water management membrane (WaMM). The system operates quietly with quick start up/shutdown and the output stream O2 pressure and rate are easily controllable. The demonstrated SVFOC concept used a modified Giner lightweight single-cell static vapor feed electrolyzer. The preliminary results established steady operation of the stack up to 500 mA/cm2 with a stack temperature < 30C. The completion of this Phase I program proposed will result in the development of a 5-cell SVFOC stack capable of producing 0.9 kg/day of pure oxygen at 3,600 psig.

The proposed technology will take ambient air, and using only a low-power blower and power supply deliver concentrated high pressure oxygen of controlled pressure. The device has no technical pressure limit, and we have tested prototypes to 1000 psi. The high pressures achievable allow for both oxygen concentration and direct filling of oxygen life-support tanks. There are no other sub-systems necessary for this device and, any NASA manned space mission could use this technology.

Giner is developing oxygen concentrators for organ preservation through persufflation. Organ persufflation is the preservation of organs by directly passing oxygen through the organ veins. Giner has shown that viability can be greatly prolonged by applying a constant concentrated stream of oxygen.

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