Reusable Electrochemically Enabled CO2 Scrubber for Life Support Systems

Faraday Technology and RoCo Global will demonstrate the feasibility of a novel material that can fit into the current NASA’s spacesuit or portable life support system (PLSS) and that can be switched from a CO2 absorbing state (Scrubbing Mode) to a CO2 desorbing state (Regeneration Mode). This method will enable the capacity of the CO2 scrubber to be regenerated in theatre, without the typical carry along mass associated with the LiOH or Metal Oxide canister currently used by NASA in PLS system to remove CO2 from the ventilation loop while operating in a partial atmosphere such as that on Mars. Additionally, the scrubber will be capable of rapid regeneration in theatre operation without the use of high temperatures, chemical solvents, or vacuum. The resulting product of the SBIR activity will be the CO2 Absorbing Regenerable Scrubber (CAReS) Cartridge prototype and design for NASA’s PLS system. Phase I will mitigate technical risks and establish the viability of the approach to first selectively absorb CO2 at a high capacity, followed by regeneration of the CO2-absorbing material, over multiple cycles, for a range of environmental conditions. Phase II will optimize and finalize the cartridge design, such that operational and environmental testing.