Atmospheric Processing Module for Mars Propellant Production

Abstract

The multi-NASA center Mars Atmosphere and Regolith COllector/PrOcessor for Lander Operations (MARCO POLO) project was established to build and demonstrate a methane/oxygen propellant production system in a Mars analog environment. Work at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Applied Chemistry Laboratory is focused on the Atmospheric Processing Module (APM). The purpose of the APM is to freeze carbon dioxide from a simulated Martian atmosphere containing the minor components nitrogen, argon, carbon monoxide, and water vapor at Martian pressures (~8 torr) by using dual cryocoolers with alternating cycles of freezing and sublimation. The resulting pressurized C0 2 is fed to a methanation subsystem where it is catalytically combined with hydrogen in a Sabatier reactor supplied by the Johnson Space Center (JSC) to make methane and water vapor. We first used a simplified once-through setup and later employed a HiC0 2 recycling system to improve process efficiency. This presentation and paper will cover (1) the design and selection of major hardware items, such as the cryocoolers, pumps, tanks, chillers, and membrane separators, (2) the determination of the optimal cold head design and flow rates needed to meet the collection requirement of 88 g C0 2 /hr for 14 hr, (3) the testing of the C0 2 freezer subsystem, and (4) the integration and testing of the two subsystems to verify the desired production rate of 31.7 g CH 4 /hr and 71.3 g H 2 0/hr along with verification of their purity. The resulting 2.22 kg of CH 4 /0 2 propellant per 14 hr day (including 0 2 from electrolysis of water recovered from regolith, which also supplies the H 2 for methanation) is of the scale needed for a Mars Sample Return mission . In addition, the significance of the project to NASA's new Mars exploration plans will be discussed .https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search

CO2 Conversion Performance of Perovskite Oxides Designed with Abundant Metals

“…By reducing CO 2 to CO, an essential component of synthesis gas, using available solar-to-fuels technology, , society can achieve feasible production of a variety of energy-dense chemicals including hydrocarbons, alcohols, and dimethyl ether. − This technique would also prove beneficial for NASA’s mission to extend mankind’s jurisdiction to Mars. The atmospheric processing module (APM) is designed to cryogenically capture CO 2 (∼95% of the Martian atmosphere) prior to CH 4 propellant formation through the Sabatier reaction. − CO 2 conversion to CO would permit downstream storable liquid fuel production using excess carbon that is otherwise wasted; i.e., CH 4 is emitted to achieve the desired O 2 :CH 4 fuel ratio. , Worlds powered by carbon neutral (or zero) energy sources have the potential to sustain high standards for clean and efficient energy.…”

Thermodynamic modeling of in-situ rocket propellant fabrication on Mars

“…The liquefied carbon dioxide is then stored in a tank at 3.49 MPa and 273.15 K. The subsystem consumes 2.5 W-hr of energy per gram (RE) of carbon dioxide liquefied, which is 3.39× more efficient compared with an RE of 8.48 W-hr/g reported by Muscatello et al. ( Muscatello et al. (2015) .…”

Thermodynamic Modeling of In-Situ Rocket Propellant Fabrication on Mars

“…In addition, employing the ICE CUBE system to liquefy pure carbon dioxide via the miniature cryocooler results in an effective compression of 5000:1 without the use of additional compressor(s) (Sanders et al, 2014). The liquefied carbon dioxide is then stored in a tank at 3.49 MPa and 273.15 K. The subsystem consumes 2.5 W-hr of energy per gram (RE) of carbon dioxide liquefied, which is 3.393 more efficient compared with an RE of 8.48 W-hr/g reported by Muscatello et al (Muscatello et al (2015).…”