Developing Cryogenic Heat Exchangers for Selective Cabin Air Separation

Two HExs will be designed that will interface with in-house Stirling cryo coolers: the residual H2O/VOC cold trap, and the CO2 deposition chamber. We'll calculate surface area requirements for the subscale system using flow rates and cooling power, generate multiple CAD designs, and thermally model select ones to confirm performance of the design. Successful designs will be 3D printed in Cu and installed in the subscale cryo CO2 removal system. Performance and power savings will be compared to determine the most efficient prototypes. Next steps include incorporation of deep space passive thermal radiators to further reduce power. Proposal of full-scale CO2 removal ground system testing and eventually flight test system, as well as submission of technical papers, patent applications, and collaboration with industry partners that perform selective air separation processes.

Any group invested in CO2 collection may benefit from this technology, including spacecraft cabin scrubbing on future missions (e.g. Gateway), Mars ISRU, EPA and sequestration efforts, industry gas separation, etc. Methods employing cryocoolers to collect CO2 are already being developed by some of these groups.

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.