Model Calibration Experiments in Support of Metabolic Heat Regenerated Temperature Swing Adsorption Technology 2007-01-3273
Metabolic heat regenerated Temperature Swing Adsorption (MTSA) technology is being developed to address carbon dioxide (CO2) and heat removal/rejection in a Mars Portable Life Support System (PLSS). The technology utilizes an adsorbent that when cooled with liquid CO2 to near sublimation temperatures (∼195 K) removes metabolically-produced CO2 in the ventilation loop. Once fully loaded, the adsorbent is then warmed (∼300 K) externally by the ventilation loop, rejecting the captured CO2 to Mars ambient. Two beds are used to provide a continuous cycle of CO2 removal/rejection as well as facilitate heat exchange out of the ventilation loop. To investigate the feasibility of the technology, a series of model calibration experiments were conducted which lead to the selection and partial characterization of an appropriate adsorbent. The Molsiv Adsorbents 13X 8×12 (also known as NaX zeolite) successfully removed CO2 from a simulated ventilation loop at the prescribed temperature swing anticipated during PLSS operating conditions on Mars using a cryogenic fluid. Thermal conductivity of the adsorbent was also measured to eventually aid in a demonstrator design of the technology. These results provide no hurdles to the development of MTSA technology and allow its development to focus on other design challenges as listed in the conclusions section of this paper.
Citation: Iacomini, C., Powers, A., Bower, C., Straub-Lopez, K. et al., "Model Calibration Experiments in Support of Metabolic Heat Regenerated Temperature Swing Adsorption Technology," SAE Technical Paper 2007-01-3273, 2007, https://doi.org/10.4271/2007-01-3273. Download Citation
Author(s):
Christine Iacomini, Aaron Powers, Chad Bower, Kathrine Straub-Lopez, Grant Anderson, Taber MacCallum, Heather L. Paul
Affiliated:
Paragon Space Development Corporation
Pages: 12
Event:
International Conference On Environmental Systems
ISSN:
0148-7191
e-ISSN:
2688-3627
Related Topics:
Carbon dioxide
Life support systems
Conductivity
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