Advanced CO2 Removal System for Space Habitats

Description: Design and package an efficient, low power CO2 removal system for space habitats.ÌýIn previous CERES graduate project sections, an ionic liquid-based CO2 removal system was developed. Characterization of thermal-, ultrasonic- and microwave-facilitated vacuum desorption of CO2 from the ionic liquid loop continues.Ìý Also, HIVE and LOCCS graduate project teams constructed a low-to-moderate fidelity mockup of a lunar surface space habitat with a deployable airlock.Ìý Building upon the work of these previous sections, the AY26/27 Human Space Flight team will characterize CO2 desorption from ionic liquids and package the ionic liquid-based CO2 removal system for implementation into the HIVE/LOCCS space habitat.Ìý

Building upon the work of these previous sections, this Human Space Flight Graduate Projects section for AY26/27 has two research objectives:

  1. Conduct fundamental research with the CERES test rig to characterize the efficacy of low power methods for CO2 removal.Ìý Specifically, investigate these methods for CO2 desorption from ionic liquids:
    1. Adsorption/desorption efficiencies and rates
    2. Degradation over time
    3. Sizing and removal rate for crew load
    4. Humidity & trace contamination effects
    5. Evaluate materials for ionic fluid compatibility, durability, and maintainability for long-duration (i.e., 3-year) space exploration missions
  2. Package and mockup the ionic liquid-based CO2 removal system for implementation into the HIVE/LOCCS lunar surface space habitat.Ìý
    1. Design and package the CERES CO2 removal system to meet form, fit and functional requirements.Ìý
    2. Assess for human factorsÌý

Advisor: Stuart Tozer