A Novel Argon Recycling Package for Minimally-Enclosed Directed Energy Deposition System

The U.S. Navy is interested in developing an argon reclamation system for a minimally closed wire-based DED system. The enabling technology should be able to recycle and filter the argon gas from gas mixture during the wire-DED process. The technology package should be able to operate at an incompletely sealed machine and demonstrate the feasibility to recycle argon gas. To address this critical need, X-wave Innovations, Inc. (XII) teams up with Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL), propose to develop a novel Inert Gas Recycling (IGR) package for argon reclamation, specifically designed for deployment during the wire-DED process. Upon completion, this innovative technology promises to deliver recycled argon gas with purity level of 99%, offering an efficient and reliable solution for high-purity argon gas recycling in the DED AM process. The IGR approach is founded on JHU/APL’s DED system and fabrication expertise, complemented by XII’s proficiency in system integration and AM process monitoring. The development of this IGR approach involves cutting-edge catalytic purification stage and selective adsorption technology, which not only ensures environmental sustainability but also prioritizes user-friendliness and demands minimal maintenance. With a compact design, this technology package is anticipated to seamlessly integrate with various DED systems, including the Haas-Meltio DED system, aligning with the Navy’s vision for a sustainable and adaptable DED AM workflow. ???????