ISS ECLSS Technology Evolution for Exploration

Carrasquillo, Robyn L.

doi:10.2514/6.2005-337

Cited by 27 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…The electrolysis of water in space is already an established and proven technology used for human space flight applications within the life support equipment, for instance on the International Space Station [5]. A water electrolysis HET must expend energy to split water into its constituent elements.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low power thrust measurements of the water electrolysis Hall effect thruster

Schwertheim

Knoll

2021

CEAS Space J

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We propose that a Hall effect thruster could be modified to operate on the products of water electrolysis. Such a thruster would exploit the low cost and high storability of water while producing gaseous hydrogen and oxygen in-situ as they are required. By supplying the anode with oxygen and the cathode with hydrogen, the poisoning of the cathode is mitigated. The water electrolysis Hall effect thruster (WET-HET) has been designed to demonstrate this concept. The dimensions of the WET-HET have been optimized for oxygen operation using PlasmaSim, a zero-dimensional particle in cell code. We present the first direct thrust measurements of the WET-HET. A hanging pendulum style thrust balance is used to measure the thrust of the WET-HET while operating in the Boltzmann vacuum facility within the Imperial Plasma Propulsion Laboratory. For this test the beam was neutralized using a filament plasma bridge neutralizer operating on krypton. We find thrust, specific impulse, and thrust efficiency all increase linearly with power for values between 400 and 1050 W. Increasing the mass flow rate from 0.96 to 1.85 mg/s increases thrust at the expense of specific impulse. Changing mass flow rate was found to have little impact on the thrust efficiency over this range. An optimal radial magnetic flux density of 403 G at the exit plane is found. Further increases to the magnetic field beyond this point were found to decrease the thrust, specific impulse and thrust efficiency, whereas the discharge voltage increased monotonically with increasing magnetic field for a given input power. It was found that the experimental thruster performance was lower than the simulation results from PlasmaSim. However, the general trends in performance as a function of power and propellant mass flow rate were preserved. We attribute a portion of this discrepancy to the inability of the simulation to model the energy absorbed by the covalent bond of the oxygen molecule. For the powers and mass flow rates surveyed we measured thrust ranging from 4.52$$\pm 0.18\,$$ ± 0.18 to 8.45$$\pm 0.18\,$$ ± 0.18 mN, specific impulse between 324$$\pm 12\,$$ ± 12 and 593$$\pm 12\,$$ ± 12 s, and anode thrust efficiencies between 1.34$$\pm 0.10\,$$ ± 0.10 and 2.34$$\pm 0.10\,$$ ± 0.10 %.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low power thrust measurements of the water electrolysis Hall effect thruster

Schwertheim

Knoll

2021

CEAS Space J

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“…In recent decades, space missions have seen revolutionary progress, and sending humans to other planets, such as Mars, is now a realistic and most anticipated goal. NASA is already equipped with, and constantly updates, Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS) for water recovery, air revitalization and oxygen generation [59]. In addition to that, bioregenerative life-support systems (BLSS) are developed with the aim of continuously recycling the above resources, while generating food via oxygenic photosynthetic microorganisms [60].…”

Section: Microalgal Biomass Production Under Different Light Intensities and Co 2 Concentrationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Microalga Chlorella vulgaris as a Natural Bioenergetic System for Effective CO2 Mitigation—New Perspectives against Global Warming

2021

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In the present contribution, the differentiation in the molecular structure and function of the photosynthetic apparatus of the unicellular green alga Chlorella vulgaris was studied at several light intensities (0–400 μmol m−2 s−1) and various CO2 concentrations (0.04–60% CO2), in completely autotrophic conditions. Asymmetries that occur by different light intensities and CO2 concentrations induce metabolic and functional changes. Using chlorophyll fluorescence induction techniques (OJIP test), we showed that Chlorella vulgaris tolerates extremely high CO2 levels and converts them photosynthetically into valuable products, including O2 and biomass rich in carbohydrates and lipids. Interestingly, the microalga Chlorella vulgaris under extremely high CO2 concentrations induces a new metabolic state intensifying its photosynthetic activity. This leads to a new functional symmetry. The results highlight a potent CO2 bio-fixation mechanism of Chlorella vulgaris that captures up to 288 L CO2 L PCV−1 day−1 under optimal conditions, therefore, this microalga can be used for direct biological CO2-reducing strategies and other green biotechnological applications. All of the above suggest that Chlorella vulgaris is one of the most prominent competitors for a closed algae-powered bioreactor that is able to consume huge amounts of CO2. Thus, it is a sustainable and natural bioenergetic system with perspectives in dealing with major environmental issues such as global warming. In addition, Chlorella vulgaris cultures could also be used as bioregeneration systems in extraterrestrial missions for continuous atmospheric recycling of the human settlements, paving the way for astrobiological applications.

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“…Chief areas for attention toward improvement are the following: 4 1) Reliance on logistics resupply and consumable resources. 2) System operational robustness and complexity.…”

Section: A Iss Atmosphere Revitalization Subsystem Experience and Opmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trade Spaces in Crewed Spacecraft Atmosphere Revitalization System Development

Perry

Bagdigian

Carrasquillo

2010

40th International Conference on Environmental Systems

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Developing the technological response to realizing an efficient atmosphere revitalization system for future crewed spacecraft and space habitats requires identifying and describing functional trade spaces. Mission concepts and requirements dictate the necessary functions; however, the combination and sequence of those functions possess significant flexibility. Using a closed loop environmental control and life support (ECLS) system architecture as a starting basis, a functional unit operations approach is developed to identify trade spaces. Generalized technological responses to each trade space are discussed. Key performance parameters that apply to functional areas are described.

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ISS ECLSS Technology Evolution for Exploration

Cited by 27 publications

References 3 publications

Low power thrust measurements of the water electrolysis Hall effect thruster

Low power thrust measurements of the water electrolysis Hall effect thruster

The Microalga Chlorella vulgaris as a Natural Bioenergetic System for Effective CO2 Mitigation—New Perspectives against Global Warming

Trade Spaces in Crewed Spacecraft Atmosphere Revitalization System Development

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