Study of Air Revitalization and Water Electrolysis System For Small Satellite Orbital Demonstration
- Paper number
IAC-05-A1.P.04
- Author
Mr. Sakurai Masato, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan
- Year
2005
- Abstract
A self-controlled circulated life support system is necessary for the International Space Station (ISS) or for future Luna base and manned Mars missions because humans consume a huge amount of materials. These consumables increase transportation costs and reduce the payload available for other purposes, making it difficult to transport a useful payload to Mars. We have designed a conceptual model of a self-contained partially circulated life support system that uses physicochemical treatment to circulate the material. A well-known air revitalization system process is as following. First, the 0.04-0.2% carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which is exhaled by astronauts is separated and concentrated to 96% with zeolite. Next, the carbon dioxide is mixed with hydrogen in the presence of a ruthenium catalyst at 300øC and reacts to produce water and methane. Finally, the obtained water is electrolyzed to obtain oxygen and hydrogen. Astronauts then breathe the oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide, and the process repeats. This system composed of a water electrolysis system using Polymer Electrolysis Membrane (PEM). Without buoyancy conventional water electrolysis has a difficulty of liquid-gas separation under microgravity condition. In order to solve this problem, water is supplied not with liquid phase but vapor phase through molecular size porous in the NAFION membrane. Further this unique system is suitable for connection to a Sabatier reactor because vapor generated by the Sabatier reaction can be directly electrolyzed without a condensation module. A Small satellite experiment is proposed to demonstrate a preliminary circulated life support system on orbit. While it demonstrating this system with live organisms is not possible, the image of a semi-permanent flame enabled by the circulated life support system is expected to raise awareness of manned space programs and to fire the public imagination.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-05-A1.P.04.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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