Condensate Separator for MIcrogravity Conditions (COSMIC)

Paragon Space Development Corporation (Paragon) proposes the development of an advanced COndensate Separator for MIcrogravity Conditions (COSMIC). COSMIC is a full flow condensate separator designed to separate condensate from air effectively and with low power use. This technology employs Paragon’s unique and robust, low power liquid separation technology that has heritage in and has been demonstrated as highly effective by Honeywell in the Two-Phase Extended Evaluation in Microgravity (TEEM) flight experiment. This technology satisfies NASA’s needs as described in SBIR topic Z2.01; NASA is interested in advanced heat exchangers and coldplates that leverage novel manufacturing techniques to minimize structural mass and provide a good thermal performance, corrosion resistance, a reliable 3-year minimum life not contaminated by microbial growth, and whose coating does not impact the life support water recovery system. COSMIC is intended to replace the Common Cabin Air Assembly (CCAA) slurper and water separator ORU. Currently the ISS CCAA CHX, slurper, and water separator are intended to condense/remove excess moisture from cabin air. Issues arise because slurper behavior is dependent upon a liquid film wetting the CHX and slurper. This behavior requires a hydrophilic surface. The presence of siloxanes on the ISS has degraded the hydrophilic CCAA CHX coating driving surfaces to behave hydrophobically. COSMIC addresses these issues by improving the means of separation so that it may occur independently of surface wetting behavior. COSMIC introduces no additional pressure drop, requires no additional flow, provides head to the separated vapor stream, is potential drop-in hardware, harnesses proven technology in microgravity, and introduces little parasitic power draw. COSMIC is an independent technology but may be paired with Paragon’s Silver-plated Condensing Heat Exchange for Microgravity Environments (SCHEME) technology.