Carbon-Supported Amine Sorbent Monoliths for Carbon Dioxide Removal

The NASA objective of expanding the human experience into the far reaches of space will require the development of regenerable life support systems. On-board carbon dioxide (CO2) removal units play a key role in such systems ensuring high quality cabin air for crew members. Similar but more compact units are needed for extravehicular activities (space suit). The overall objective is to develop a CO2-removal system that possesses substantial weight, size, and power-requirement advantages over current systems (improved CO2 adsorption and lower pressure drop). The proposed innovation involves the use and manufacture of lightweight, porous carbon monoliths with controlled pore characteristics that will serve as support for the sorbent material (amines). The proof of feasibility was successfully demonstrated Phase I. The objective of the Phase II study is to develop a 1/7 scale prototype CO2/H2O removal system capable of supporting air revitalization for one person. This will be accomplished in the following six tasks: (1) Sorbent Optimization; (2) Subscale Device Development (1/70 scale); (3) Prototype Design; (4) Prototype Construction; (5) Prototype Testing; and (6) System Evaluation.