Research Projects

Re-generable carbon dioxide capture system is vital for environmental control and life support system in long duration manned space missions. The proposal envisages to identify promising re-generable systems for selectively capturing carbon dioxide from the air. Number of materials namely, solid amines, zeolites, molecular sieves, etc. have been reported for their high efficiency to selectively remove carbon dioxide and chemical contaminants as well as their chemical inertness and non-flammable properties. Furthermore, these sorbent materials can be readily regenerated via either thermal swing adsorption (TSA) or pressure swing adsorption (PSA), and therefore, are reported to be suitable for the removal of carbon dioxide and trace contaminants. These re-generable adsorber systems do not have to be replaced during a space mission, and can be smaller and lighter than the disposable adsorber beds. Currently, packed beds of sorbent pellets are mostly used in the adsorption systems; however, recent studies have shown that these materials can be easily fluidized and/or eroded, due to both thermal cycling and mechanical vibration, and can generate fine particulates that bypass the downstream mesh filters. This results in particulates buildup in downstream pumps, blowers, and other components, and has been problematic in some aerospace applications. Furthermore, these packed beds of pellets create a large pressure drop across the adsorption system. In view of the above, it is imperative to develop alternative approaches to packed bed systems, where the suitable adsorbent material should be coated on metal mesh elements (substrate consists of a series of ultra-short-channel-length) or monoliths which can effectively adsorb / capture carbon dioxide and trace contaminants. The study should aim at developing the regenerable adsorbent material having selective carbon dioxide adsorption efficiency of minimum 8% by weight.