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At least 199 records · Page 11

Carbon Dioxide Management on the International Space Station

The International Space Station (ISS) is a manned laboratory operating in orbit around the Earth that was built and is currently operated by several countries across the world. The ISS is a platform for novel scientific research as well as a testbed for technologies that will be required for the next step in space exploration. In order for astronauts to live on ISS for an extended period of time, it is vital that on board systems consistently provide a clean atmosphere. One contaminant that must be removed from the atmosphere is carbon dioxide (CO2). CO2 levels on ISS are higher than those on Earth and can cause crew members to experience symptoms such as headaches, lethargy and mental slowness. A variety of systems exist on ISS to remove carbon dioxide, including adsorbent technologies which can be reused and testbed technologies for future space vehicles.

Burlingame, Katie↗

Double-Pulse Two-Micron IPDA Lidar Simulation for Airborne Carbon Dioxide Measurements

An advanced double-pulsed 2-micron integrated path differential absorption lidar has been developed at NASA Langley Research Center for measuring atmospheric carbon dioxide. The instrument utilizes a state-of-the-art 2-micron laser transmitter with tunable on-line wavelength and advanced receiver. Instrument modeling and airborne simulations are presented in this paper. Focusing on random errors, results demonstrate instrument capabilities of performing precise carbon dioxide differential optical depth measurement with less than 3% random error for single-shot operation from up to 11 km altitude. This study is useful for defining CO2 measurement weighting, instrument setting, validation and sensitivity trade-offs.

Refaat, Tamer F.↗

Bosch Reactor Development for High Percentage Oxygen Recovery from Carbon Dioxide

This next Generation Life Support Project entails the development and demonstration of Bosch reaction technologies to improve oxygen recovery from metabolically generated oxygen and/or space environments. A primary focus was placed on alternate carbon formation reactor concepts to improve useful catalyst life for space vehicle applications, and make use of in situ catalyst resources for non-terrestrial surface missions. Current state-of-the-art oxygen recovery systems onboard the International Space Station are able to effectively recover approximately 45 percent of the oxygen consumed by humans and exhausted in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2). Excess CO2 is vented overboard and the oxygen contained in the molecules is lost. For long-duration missions beyond the reaches of Earth for resupply, it will be necessary to recover greater amounts of constituents such as oxygen that are necessary for sustaining life. Bosch technologies theoretically recover 100 percent of the oxygen from CO2, producing pure carbon as the sole waste product. Challenges with this technology revolve around the carbon product fouling catalyst materials, drastically limiting catalyst life. This project successfully demonstrated techniques to extend catalyst surface area exposure times to improve catalyst life for vehicle applications, and demonstrated the use of Martian and lunar regolith as viable catalyst Bosch Reactor Development for High Percentage Oxygen Recovery From Carbon Dioxide materials for surface missions. The Bosch process generates carbon nanotube formation within the regolith, which has been shown to improve mechanical properties of building materials. Production of bricks from post reaction regolith for building and radiation shielding applications were also explored.

Howard, David↗

Sorbent Structural Testing on Carbon Dioxide Removal Sorbents for Advanced Exploration Systems

Long term space missions require carbon dioxide removal systems that can function with minimal downtime required for maintenance, low power consumption and maximum efficiency for CO2 removal. A major component of such a system are the sorbents used for the CO2 and desiccant beds. Sorbents must not only have adequate CO2 and H2O removal properties, but they must have the mechanical strength to prevent structural breakdown due to pressure and temperature changes during operation and regeneration, as well as resistance to breakdown due to moisture in the system from cabin air. As part of the studies used to select future CO2 sorbent materials, mechanical tests are performed on various zeolite sorbents to determine mechanical performance while dry and at various humidified states. Tests include single pellet crush, bulk crush and attrition tests. We have established a protocol for testing sorbents under dry and humid conditions, and previously tested the sorbents used on the International Space Station carbon dioxide removal assembly. This paper reports on the testing of a series of commercial sorbents considered as candidates for use on future exploration missions.

Watson, David↗

Space-Based Detection of Missing Sulfur Dioxide Sources of Global Air Pollution

Sulfur dioxide is designated a criteria air contaminant (or equivalent) by virtually all developed nations. When released into the atmosphere, sulfur dioxide forms sulfuric acid and fine particulate matter, secondary pollutants that have significant adverse effects on human health, the environment and the economy. The conventional, bottom-up emissions inventories used to assess impacts, however, are often incomplete or outdated, particularly for developing nations that lack comprehensive emission reporting requirements and infrastructure. Here we present a satellite-based, global emission inventory for SO2 that is derived through a simultaneous detection, mapping and emission-quantifying procedure, and thereby independent of conventional information sources. We find that of the 500 or so large sources in our inventory, nearly 40 are not captured in leading conventional inventories. These missing sources are scattered throughout the developing world-over a third are clustered around the Persian Gulf-and add up to 7 to 14 Tg of SO2 yr(exp -1), or roughly 6-12% of the global anthropogenic source. Our estimates of national total emissions are generally in line with conventional numbers, but for some regions, and for SO2 emissions from volcanoes, discrepancies can be as large as a factor of three or more. We anticipate that our inventory will help eliminate gaps in bottom-up inventories, independent of geopolitical borders and source types.

OMI↗

Active Control of pH in the Bioculture System Through Carbon Dioxide Control

For successful cell research, the growth culture environment must be tightly controlled. Deviance from the optimal conditions will mask the desired variable being analyzed or lead to inconstancies in the results. In standard laboratories, technology and procedures are readily available for the reliable control of variables such as temperature, pH, nutrient loading, and dissolved gases. Due to the nature of spaceflight, and the inherent constraints to engineering designs, these same elements become a challenge to maintain at stable values by both automated and manual approaches. Launch mass, volume, and power usage create significant constraints to cell culture systems; nonetheless, innovative solutions for active environmental controls are available. The acidity of the growth media cannot be measured through standard probes due to the degradation of electrodes and reliance on indicators for chromatography. Alternatively, carbon dioxide sensors are capable of monitoring the pH by leveraging the relationship between the partial pressure of carbon dioxide and carbonic acid in solution across a membrane. In microgravity cell growth systems, the gas delivery system can be used to actively maintain the media at the proper acidity by maintaining a suitable gas mixture around permeable tubing. Through this method, launch mass and volume are significantly reduced through the efficient use of the limited gas supply in orbit.

cell growth↗

Development Requirements for the Exploration PLSS (xPLSS) Carbon Dioxide and Humidity Control Unit (CDHCU)

Functional Requirements for the Carbon Dioxide and Humidity Control Unit (CDHCU): The CDHCU is a component of the Exploration Portable Life Support System (xPLSS) to provide carbon dioxide (CO2) and humidity control within the spacesuit for a crewmember to perform extravehicular activities (EVA) in vacuum (micro-g), lunar, and Mars environments for up to 8 hours continuous, and during EVA preparation in airlocks or support vehicles for an additional 2 hours (TBR) continuous.

Chullen, Cinda↗

Carbon Dioxide Methanation for Human Exploration of Mars: A Look at Catalyst Longevity and Activity Using Supported Ruthenium

Overarching Purpose: To design a carbon dioxide methanation/Sabatier reaction catalyst able to withstand variable conditions including fluctuations in bed temperature and feed flow rates for 480 days of remote operation to produce seven tons of methane. Current Study Purpose: Examine supported Ruthenium as a carbon dioxide methanation catalyst to determine the effects support properties have on the active phase by studying activity and selectivity. Objective: The remote operation of the Mars ISRU (In Situ Resources Utilization) lander to produce rocket fuel prior to crew arrival on the planet to power an ascent vehicle. Constraints: Long-term operation (480 days); Variable conditions: Feed gas flow rates, Feed gas flow ratios, Reactor bed temperature.

SiC↗

Co-Adsorption of Carbon Dioxide on Zeolite 13X in the Presence of Preloaded Water

Background: Carbon Dioxide removal is a key aspect of Life Support for long-duration missions - Need to improve Mass, Power, and Volume of systems; Cabin air has three major constituents - Oxygen and Nitrogen, Carbon dioxide (CO2), Water Vapor; The mechanism for strong CO2 adsorption in zeolites (and many sorbents) is also the same mechanism for H2O - Water vapor is selectively adsorbed over CO2.

Cmarik, Gregory E.↗

Scale-Up of the Carbon Dioxide Removal by Ionic Liquid Sorbent (CDRILS) System

The Carbon Dioxide Removal by Ionic Liquid Sorbent (CDRILS) system is designed for efficient, safe and reliable carbon dioxide (CO2) removal from cabin air on long-duration missions to the Moon, deep space, and Mars. CDRILS integrates an ionic liquid sorbent with hollow fiber membrane contactors for rapid CO2 removal and recovery. The liquid-based system provides continuous CO2 delivery, which avoids complicated valve networks to switch between absorbing and desorbing beds and enables simpler integration to the Sabatier without the need for the CO2 Management System (CMS). Ionic liquids are particularly desirable as liquid absorbents for space applications since they are non-volatile, non-odorous, and have high oxidative stability. The hollow fiber membrane contactors offer both high contact area and rigorous containment between the gas and liquid phases in a microgravity environment. Scale-up of the CDRILS technology has presented a series of fascinating challenges, since the interaction between hollow fiber properties, ionic liquid properties and performance is complex. Properties measured with lab-scale hollow fiber contactors are used to estimate the performance of contactors that are similar in scale to flight-scale demonstrations. To accomplish this, component and system models have been built to relate the key scrubber and stripper design and operating variables with performance, and experiments directed to validate the models have been performed. System size, weight and power are determined by component selection, arrangement, and operating conditions. Reliability will be extremely important for any long-range mission and depends on the stability of the ionic liquids and hollow fiber contactors. We report on our continuing long term stability experiments for the ionic liquid and contactor materials and our investigation of the physical properties of additional ionic liquids.

Yates, Stephen F.↗

Airborne, Direct-Detection, 2-μm Triple-Pulse IPDA Lidar for Simultaneous and Independent Atmospheric Water Vapor and Carbon Dioxide Active Remote Sensing

Atmospheric water vapor and carbon dioxide are important greenhouse gases that significantly contribute to the global radiation budget on Earth. A 2-micron triple-pulse, Integrated Path Differential Absorption (IPDA) lidar instrument for ground and airborne atmospheric carbon dioxide and water vapor concentration measurements using direct detection was developed at NASA Langley Research Center. This active remote sensing instrument provides an alternate approach with significant advantages for measuring atmospheric concentrations of the gases. A high energy pulsed laser transmitter approach coupled with sensitive receiver detection provides a high-precision measurement capability by having a high signal-to-noise ratio. This paper presents the concept, development, integration and testing of the 2-micron triple-pulse IPDA. The integration includes the various IPDA transmitter, receiver and data acquisition subsystems and components. Ground and airborne testing indicated successful operation of the IPDA lidar.

Refaat, Tamer F.↗

Standard Testing Procedure for Quantifying Breathing Gas Carbon Dioxide Partial Pressure for Extravehicular Activity and Launch, Entry, Survival Pressure Suits

This standard test and analysis protocol establishes the procedure for determining the partial pressure of inspired carbon dioxide (PICO2) exposure level experienced by persons operating a pressurized suit. The purpose of this Standard Testing Procedure (STP) is to describe the test conditions and procedures necessary to acquire data in support of certification that manufacturer submitted Extravehicular Activity (EVA) and/or Launch, Entry, Survival (LES) suit designs maintain safe levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the helmet during suited operations. The STP shall be used to measure the in-suit inhaled and exhaled dry-gas partial pressure of CO2 (PCO2), followed by calculation of the water vapor saturated PICO2 during the inhalation portion of the breathing cycle, while a human test subject is performing work at levels anticipated during suited operations in ground and flight environments. The procedure is designed to test the evaluated suit on a human test subject as a dynamic system, generate repeatable results under defined laboratory conditions, and perform consistent analysis on acquired samples.This STP is used to evaluate space suits in a hyperbaric environment (above atmospheric pressure). Changes would need to be made to the test equipment/setup to accommodate a hypobaric environment. There is no specific EVA or LES suit performance requirement to meet or pass/fail criteria associated with this STP.

Bekdash, Omar↗

Ground Testing of 2-µm Triple-Pulse IPDA Lidar for Carbon Dioxide and Water Vapor Measuremets

A triple-pulse, 2-µm, Integrated Path Differential Absorption (IPDA) lidar was developed at NASA Langley Research Center. This active remote sensing instrument provides a technique for measuring atmospheric carbon dioxide and water vapor simultaneously and independently. A 2-µm high-energy pulsed laser is incorporated for the IPDA transmitter, which provides high signal-to-noise ratio measurements using a commercial direct detection system. This results in a high-precision measurement capability for the low troposphere weighted-average column dry-air volume mixing ratio of the gases. Recent IPDA ground testing indicated carbon dioxide and water vapor measurements sensitivities of 8% and 14%, respectively and biases of 0.1%. However, using the R30 centerline position for the on-line enhances the CO2 measurement sensitivity to 0.6%.

Refaat, Tamer F.↗

High‐Resolution Mapping of Nitrogen Dioxide With TROPOMI: First Results and Validation Over the Canadian Oil Sands

TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI), on-board the Sentinel-5 Precursersatellite, is a nadir-viewing spectrometer measuring reflected sunlight in the ultraviolet, visible,near-infrared, and shortwave infrared. From these spectra several important air quality and climate-relatedatmospheric constituents are retrieved, including nitrogen dioxide (NO2) at unprecedented spatialresolution from a satellite platform. We present the first retrievals of TROPOMI NO2over the Canadian OilSands, contrasting them with observations from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument satellite instrument,and demonstrate TROPOMI's ability to resolve individual plumes and highlight its potential for derivingemissions from individual mining facilities. Further, the first TROPOMI NO2validation is presented,consisting of aircraft and surface in situ NO2observations, and ground-based remote-sensingmeasurements between March and May 2018. Our comparisons show that the TROPOMI NO2verticalcolumn densities are highly correlated with the aircraft and surface in situ NO2observations, and theground-based remote-sensing measurements with a low bias (15–30 %); this bias can be reduced byimproved air mass factors. Plain Language Summary: Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a pollutant that is linked to respiratoryhealth issues and has negative environmental impacts such as soil and water acidification. Near thesurface the most significant sources of NO2are fossil fuel combustion and biomass burning. With a recentlylaunched satellite instrument (TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument [TROPOMI]), NO2can be measuredwith an unprecedented combination of accuracy, spatial coverage, and resolution. This work presents thefirst TROPOMI NO2measurements near the Canadian Oil Sands and shows that these measurements havean outstanding ability to detect NO2on a very high horizontal resolution that is unprecedented for satelliteNO2observations. Further, these satellite measurements are in excellent agreement with aircraft andground-based measurements.

TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI)↗

Multi-Decadal Nitrogen Dioxide and Derived Products from Satellites (MINDS) Datasets Released by NASA GES DISC and Their Applications for Air Quality

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a pervasive air pollutant, comes from vehicles, power plants, industrial emissions, and off-road sources such as construction or lawn and gardening equipment. The NASA Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC) curates many remote sensing datasets with NO2 retrievals, which have been utilized for air quality research and applications. The remotely-sensed datasets include those generated by the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) on the Aura satellite, the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) onboard the Copernicus Sentinel-5 Precursor (S5P), and the Ozone Mapping and Profiling Suite (OMPS) Nadir-Mapper (NM) instrument on the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (S- NPP). In collaboration with the NASA Making Earth System Data Records for Use in Research Environments (MEaSUREs) Multi-Decadal Nitrogen Dioxide and Derived Products from Satellites (MINDS) project, the GES DISC recently released MINDS datasets. The NASA MEaSUREs MINDS project aims to develop long-term NO2 global data records by adapting a consistent retrieval algorithm to multiple instrument measurements. Long-term data records will be achieved by applying consistent retrieval approaches to multiple satellite instruments, including OMI (2004 - ); the Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment (GOME, 1995-2011) onboard the second European Remote Sensing satellite (ERS-2); the Scanning Imaging Spectrometer for Atmospheric Cartography (SCIAMACHY, 2002-2012) onboard the ENVIronmental SATellite (ENVISAT); GOME-2 on the Meteorological Operational satellites (MetOp-A and MetOp-B, 2006 - ); and TROPOMI onboard the Copernicus S5P (2017 - ). The long-term record (1995 to present) of MINDS datasets makes them very useful for air quality trend studies. Some MINDS datasets with high spatial resolution of only a few kilometers can be used for air quality research and applications at regional scales. In this presentation, we will introduce all of the MINDS products and services, and demonstrate use cases of MINDS data for studying air quality. We will also present a few other NO2 datasets acquired from NASA’s Health and Air Quality Applied Sciences Team (HAQAST), to be archived and distributed by the GES DISC, and highlight some of their applications for air quality and health.

Feng Ding↗

Measuring Zeolite Thermal Conductivity for Carbon Dioxide Adsorption Systems

The Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS) is a critical component of the air revitalization system in the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS). The CDRA operates by employing a zeolite material that adsorbs carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) from the cabin air and desorbs it downstream from the cabin for further processing, ensuring CO 2 levels at 2 mmHg 1 . The low thermal conductivity of zeolite reduces the heating rate of the temperature swing cycle and increases power requirements.

multifunctional sorbent↗

Profiling of Mars Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Isotopologues Using 2-Micron Orbiting Lidar

Mars atmospheric characterization is important for investigating the planet climate history and planning future missions. A feasibility study for implementing the 2-um lidar technology for measuring Martian atmospheric carbon dioxide isotopologues is presented in this paper. Instrument reconfigurations include transmitted wavelengths and detection for differential absorption lidar application using an orbiter platform. Spectral analysis focused on the major four carbon dioxide isotopologues using the 2035 nm wavelength range, which results in minimal interference from other molecular species. Lidar simulation indicated the capability of detecting 12C16O2, 13C16O2, and 18O12C16O near surface vertical profiles up to 20 km altitude. Sensing of 17O12C16O isotopologue is challenging due to lower abundance and Martian atmospheric dust. This orbiting lidar provides a valuable tool for future Mars missions.

Tamer F. Refaat↗

A Portable Nitrogen Dioxide Instrument Using Cavity-Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy

The Portable (2.7 kg) Cavity-enhanced Absorption of Nitrogen Dioxide (PCAND) instrument for measuring in situ nitrogen dioxide (NO2) was developed using incoherent, broadband cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy (IBBCEAS). An LED light source centered at 408 nm was coupled to a cavity 15 cm in length, achieving an effective optical pathlength of ~520 m. Our precision was measured as 94 pptv (1 s). To date, we have flown this instrument on 3 balloon and 1 UAV test flights. This instrument records data to an SD card and outputs data (via an RS232 port) to external devices including a commercial radiosonde (iMet) for real-time data downlink.

TROPOMI↗