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In-Situ Resources Utilization (ISRU)
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Affordable
planning and execution of prolonged manned space missions depend
upon the utilization of local resources and the waste products
which are formed in manned spacecraft and surface bases. Successful
in-situ resources utilization (ISRU) will require component
technologies which provide optimal size, weight, volume, and
power efficiency. |
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Compact, light-weight,
efficient chemical processing systems will enable minimization
of re-supply from Earth, give more flexibility to EVA by incorporating
man-portable Life Support systems, improve mobility by providing
fuel for rovers (e.g., use of reformers to produce hydrogen
for fuel-cell powered rovers), produce fuel for return missions,
etc.
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Microchannel
chemical processing technology can be applied to many ISRU scenarios
and other space applications. Integration of multiple chemical
processing steps and/or incorporation of auxiliary components,
such as regenerative heat exchangers, condensers and instrumentation
maximize the benefits of the technology, resulting in highly compact
systems. Such compact units are ideal platforms to provide point-of-source
processing of in-situ resources, localized air revitalization,
as well recycling/recovery of resources. |
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Ongoing
Research |
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Microchannel
Reformer and Purification System
for Fuel Cell Applications
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This
project aims to combine microchannel microreformer technology
for hydrogen production with palladium membrane technology for
hydrogen purification and separation in an integrated hydrogen
production system, resulting in optimized size and energy efficiency.
The resulting integrated unit will provide the separation of hydrogen
from diluent gases (e.g. carbon dioxide), promoting higher efficiency
of the fuel cell stack, and the production of high purity hydrogen,
suitable for PEM fuel cells, which require CO levels lower than
10-20 ppm. |
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In
Situ Manufacture of Plastics and Composites |
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This
program will demonstrate the synthesis of polyethylene from carbon
dioxide and water (Mars In Situ Resources and metabolic waste),
combining microchannel reactor technology for production of ethylene
with conventional reactor systems for the production of polyethylene.
Polyethylene can be used for the fabrication of useful structures
for future human and robotic exploration missions, such as habitats
and radiation shielding, spare parts, self replicating machines,
etc.
Nanocatalysts
for Microchannel Reactors
The goal of
this project is to develop microchannel reactors using carbon nanotubes
(CNT) exoskeletal structure as catalyst support within microchannel
layers. One of the greatest advantages of this support arrangement
is the enhancement of catalytic activity by providing superior catalyst
exposure to the reaction media, while maintaining catalyst integrity.
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