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In the frame of ESA's Basic Technology Research Programme an integrated Fan-Pump-Separator (FPS) unit, for the European EVA Space Suit System, was developed up to breadboard level. The development was carried out by TECHNOFAN (F) as subcontractor to DORNIER (D) under contract of the European Space Agency. Concept Trade-offs and design definition confirmed the advantages in power, mass and volume of integrating all three functions into a single unit. The unit is driven by one common brushless DC motor. The performance requirements for the three basic functions (oxygen circulation, coolant water circulation and water separation) were derived from the system layout of the life support system for the European EVA Space Suit. The separate functional units were comprehensively tested in preliminary development tests. Final assembly of the functional units led to an integrated breadboard, which was successfully tested.

The separation of gases and liquids under microgravity conditions is a common task to be accomplished in Life Support Systems of Spacecraft. Separation has to be achieved in two main domains: water separators separate water from an air stream coming e.g. from the slurper holes of a condensing heat exchanger gas traps have to safeguard sensitive devices in water loops, like e.g. centrifugal pumps or passages with small inner diameter, against blockage by gas bubbles. This paper describes the evaluation of a two-membrane concept fur use in microgravity. The concept originally had been developed for medical application and features a hydrophilic screen for retaining gas bubbles in a water stream; the bubbles are then vented via a hydrophobic membrane to the ambient. Commercial blood gas bubble filters were successfully tested in parabolic flight proving the feasibility of the concept for application as gas trap in microgravity.