Contaminant Control Cartridge

1
Contaminant Control Cartridge

• Space Suit Design
• Mio Suzuki
• 19 Nov. 2001

2
Purpose of Presentation

• Introduce the basic features of Contaminant
  Control Cartridge
• - what is it?
• - where is it?
• - how does it work?
• Introduce possible alternatives to current
  contaminant removal method

3
More about CCC

• Air/oxygen stream circulation mechanism.
• Closed loop system
• CCC picks up dirty air.

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PLSS Air Circulation System
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Absorption Process

• Absorption is transfer of gas components to
  liq/solid
• Capacity of absorbent
• LiOH Absorption
• Chemical reaction
• 2LiOH CO2 ? Li2CO3 water heat
• Advantages
• Relatively inexpensive
• LiOH is stable compound

6
Typical LiOH Absorption Column
http//www.naval-technology.com/contractors/hvac/d
ornier/dornier4.html
7
Disadvantages

• Regenerable Nonregenerable
• Waste production
• NASAs request
• Toxicity Problem
• Eye irritations are reported

8
Alternatives

• New technology being considered
• Methox (Metal Oxides)
• Amines
• Electrochemistry
• Bio-Process (plant-bio)
• Benefits
• Problems

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Methox (Metal Oxides)

• Alloy of Silver Oxide can effectively reduce CO2
  composition
• Material undergoes expansion and contraction
• Limited environment
• Limited lifetime

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Amines

• Amines (base) and CO2 provide neutralization
  reaction.
• The products can be extracted in form of steam.
• Inexpensive
• Safety

CO2 Handling http//ucs.orst.edu/atwaterj/amine.
htm
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Regenerative system

• Navys regenrative contaminant control assembly
  for their submarines planned scheme
• http//www.naval-technology.com/contractors/hvac/d
  ornier/dornier4.html

12
Others

• Electrochemical Process
• Too expensive
• Inefficient
• Bio-process
• Plant/microbes
• Efficiency?

13
Conclusion

• Amine system looks appealing
• Cost, safety, and practicality
• Parameters to consider
• Metabolic rate of astronauts under operative
  conditions
• Size and weight restriction

FOR MORE INFO...
Astrobiology Web http//www.astrobiology.com/suppo
rt.html