Employing Ionomer Membrane Technology to Extract Water from Brine

Paragon Space Development Corporation proposes the use of an microporous-ionomer membrane pair to improve the robustness and effectiveness of membrane-based water separation processes. Improved robustness and effectiveness will be evident through (1) reduced loading on the downstream post processor due to the ionomer's unique property of selective permeability, and (2) inclusion of a backup barrier between the rententate and permeate. The microporous membrane's function is to prevent liquid wastewater from direct contact with the ionomer, a condition that would reduce the effectiveness of the ionomer. The ionomer's unique characteristic of selective permeability suggests a possible role in water purification processes. This activity is accomplished by means of the sulfonic acid groups. It is this property that we wish to exploit.

The non-NASA applications are significant as fresh water demands are becoming a serious problem at many regions of the planet. The technology generated here may very well help improve the efficiency and/or portability of terrestrial-based water recovery systems.

Contemplated long-duration missions to the Moon, Near Earth Asteroids, and Mars will be mass-constrained. The successful development and application of NafionREG membrane technology to spacecraft water processing will lead to improvements in the efficiency, robustness, and reliability of these systems. These improvements will in turn translate directly into safety improvements and mass reductions.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — 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.

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