Development of Next-Generation Membrane-Integrated Adsorption Processor for CO ₂ Removal and Compression for Closed-Loop Air Revitalization and Analysis of Desiccating Membrane 2003-01-2367

The current CO₂ removal technology of NASA is very energy intensive and contains many non-optimized subsystems. This paper discusses the concept of a next-generation, membrane-integrated, adsorption processor for CO₂ removal and compression in closed-loop air revitalization systems. The membrane module removes water from the feed, passing it directly into the processor's exhaust stream; it replaces the desiccant beds in the current four-bed molecular sieve system, which must be thermally regenerated. Moreover, in the new processor, CO₂ is removed and compressed in a single two-stage unit. This processor will use much less power than NASA's current CO₂ removal technology and will be capable of maintaining a lower CO₂ concentration in the cabin than that can be achieved by the existing CO₂ removal systems. The compact, consolidated, configuration of membrane gas dryer and CO₂ separator and compressor will allow continuous recycling of humid air in the cabin and supply of compressed CO₂ to the reduction unit for oxygen recovery. The device has potential application to the International Space Station and future, long duration, transit, and planetary missions.