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Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)
Conduct a trade study of sorbent materials that can adsorb CO2 from ambient air (e.g., cabin air on the ISS) based on key performance parameters (KPPs), and compare possible thermal heating techniques that can be used to regenerate these materials. Key performance parameters include: (1) dependence of CO2 uptake rate on air flow rate and air temperature, (2) maximum amount of adsorbed CO2 per unit mass of sorbent material, (3) dependence of CO2 desorption (regeneration) rate on air flow rate and air temperature, and (4) amount of electrical power required to capture a given amount of CO2 from cabin air and recycle the CO2 back to plants.
Identify candidate materials and techniques to control the removal of CO2 from cabin air and the recycling of stored CO2 back into a closed plant growth chamber. The project will deliver a report that (1) compares the performances of sorbent materials used to capture CO2 from cabin air on the ISS or Lunar Gateway, (2) identifies technologies and materials to monitor and collect CO2 from a closed plant growth chamber, e.g., APH in Fig. 1, and (3) evaluates techniques that provide controllable release of the captured CO2 back into the plant growth chamber as needed to maintain levels for optimal plant growth. Currently available CO2 sorbent materials that satisfy ISS safety requirements will be baselined. COTS components will be identified to monitor the air temperature, lighting conditions, and concentrations of CO2 and humidity in a mockup plant growth chamber.
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