Vacuum-Regenerable Trace Contaminant Control for Exploration Portable Life Support System

Precision Combustion, Inc. (PCI) proposes a compact, vacuum-regenerable sorbent bed for effectively removing a broad range of trace contaminants, meeting all topic performance requirements, which can be integrated with the Exploration Portable Life Support System (xPLSS) CO2/H2O removal system. Both the primary trace contaminants (ammonia, CO, formaldehyde, and methyl mercaptan) as well as other species that threaten to exceed the 7-day Spacecraft Maxmimum Allowable Concentration (SMAC) levels will be addressed. Additionally, other trace chemicals described in the topic requirements document, will be removed using our proposed sorbent nanomaterials. These sorbents with different properties will be combined in the modular Trace Contaminant Control (TCC) bed, tailored to the requirements and in suitable proportion. Our approach is based on PCIrsquo;s proven sorbent nanomaterials that have high surface area on a structured support, enabling a compact, low pressure drop, and vacuum-regenerable TCC device. In Phase II, we will build on Phase I success to develop, fabricate, and demonstrate a compact, low pressure drop, vacuum-regenerable TCC hardware prototypes for efficient removal of targeted trace contaminants to meet NASA requirements. A prototype ready for system-level testing in the xPLSS will be provided to NASA. This effort would be valuable to NASA as it would address the current xPLSS technology gap and increase mission capability/durability/extensibility while at the same time increasing the TRL of the novel vacuum regenerable TCC sorbents.