Life Support Systems: Carbon Dioxide Removal

The Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) Life Support Systems project Carbon Dioxide Removal and Management task includes development of systems that remove CO2 from a crewed cabin and manage the flow rate of removed CO2 to a downstream CO2 reduction system. In general, the goal of these efforts is to develop systems and component technologies that will become International Space Station (ISS) flight demonstrations. Here the ISS will provide the platform for long-term system testing in a relevant environment, thus enabling the evaluation and certification of the technology candidates for future missions. The project is developing a technology that uses Catacel-structured 13X sorbent to replace the current clay bound sorbents.  The structured sorbent will resolve dust generation issues seen with the clay bound sorbents used on the ISS.  The project is also developing a liquid amine technology to remove CO2 as a replacement technology for CO2 removal using sorbents.  Another technology is using Metal Organic Frameworks (MOF) to fabricate a highly efficient CO2 removal system with high stability based on zeolite and MOF monoliths.