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TDA Research, Inc (TDA) is developing a compact lightweight emergency system that provides 30–minute life–support in the case of system or component failure in the Portable Life Support System (PLSS). This emergency system is based on a regenerable sorbent technology developed at TDA, which removes carbon dioxide (CO2) and moisture (H2O). The emergency Extravehicular Activity (EVA) system must control CO2 levels as well as humidity and temperature. Two thermal sources that must be managed are the metabolic heat from the astronaut, mostly in the form of water vapor and the heat released from the exothermic reaction of CO2 and H2O with the sorbent. Consideration of the thermal management is critical in the design of this system because it affects sorbent performance. Additionally, it is important in maintaining astronaut comfort.

Future National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)-planned missions set stringent demands on the design of the Portable Life Support Systems (PLSS), requiring dramatic reductions in weight, decreased reliance on supplies and greater flexibility on the types of missions. Use of regenerable systems that reduce weight and volume of the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) is of critical importance to NASA, both for low orbit operations and for long duration manned missions. TDA Research, Inc. (TDA) is developing a high capacity, rapid cycling sorbent to control CO2 and humidity in the space suit ventilation loop. The sorbent can be regenerated using space vacuum during the EVA, eliminating all duration-limiting elements in the life support system. This paper summarizes the results of the sorbent development and testing, and evaluation efforts.

TDA Research, Inc. (TDA) is developing a simple system that provides an effective way of interfacing the carbondioxide (CO2) removal and reduction functions. The system uses a chemical absorbent and a Sabatier catalyst combination to remove the CO2 and water vapor (H2O) produced by metabolic processes from cabin air and subsequently reduce the CO2 to methane and water. The system has the potential to weigh less than the Four Bed Molecular Sieve and CO2 Reduction Assembly combination, which is connected with a CO2 pump/compressor and storage tank due to the high CO2 absorption capacity of the sorbent and its ability to simultaneously absorb both CO2 and H2O (which eliminates the need for desiccant beds in the Four Bed Molecular Sieve System). The system does not require a CO2 pump/compressor or storage tank offering energy savings that come from effective utilization of the heat released by the Sabatier reaction to drive sorbent regeneration.

The cost of delivering the payloads to space increases dramatically with distance and therefore missions to deep space place a strong emphasis on reducing launch weight and eliminating resupply requirements. The Vapor Phase Catalytic Ammonia Removal (VPCAR) system, which is being developed for water purification, is an example of this focus because it has no resupply requirements. A key step in the VPCAR system is the catalytic oxidation of ammonia and volatile hydrocarbons to benign compounds such as carbon dioxide, water, and nitrogen. Currently, platinum-based commercial oxidation catalysts are being used for these reactions. However, conventional platinum catalysts can convert ammonia (NH3) to NO and NO2 (collectively referred to as NOX), which are more hazardous than ammonia.

The recovery of oxygen from a concentrated stream of carbon dioxide (CO2) offers significant advantage to long duration manned space missions by reducing the requirement for consumables. TDA Research, Inc. (TDA) has developed a chemical absorbent-based system to carry out CO2 removal and CO2 reduction for the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) at the International Space Station (ISS). The system eliminates interfacing problems associated with the currently operational CO2 Removal Assembly (CDRA) and planned CO2 Reduction Assembly (CRA). This paper discusses the plans for TDA’s CO2 removal and CO2 reduction system. A high capacity, long-life CO2 sorbent was developed and tested under representative conditions. In addition, the performance of a state-of-the-art catalyst for CO2 reduction to water and methane at the conditions of interest was tested.