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 objective of the Phase I study is to demonstrate the technical feasibility of the above approach. This will be accomplished in the following three tasks: (1) Preparation and Characterization of Amine Sorbents Supported on Porous Carbon Monoliths; (2) Sorbent Testing; and (3) Product Assessment. The anticipated benefits include: (a) improved heat-transfer within the sorbent (increased CO2 capacity); (b) increased specific surface area (higher amine loading and, thus, increased CO2 capacity); (c) lower pressure drop (reduced power requirements); and (d) simultaneous removal of water vapor and trace contaminants.