Firm:

          

Reaction Systems, LLC

          

   

Address:

          

17301 West Colfax Avenue, #160, Golden, CO 80401

          

   

Phone:

          

(303) 216-2950                                                                                                                                                                                

          

   

Name:

          

Dr. David Wickham

          

   

E-mail:

          

wickham@rxnsys.com

          

   

Address:

          

17301 West Colfax Avenue, #160, CO 80401 - 4892

          

   

Phone:

          

(720) 352-7161                                                                                                                                                                                

          

   

Name:

          

Todd Leeson

          

   

E-mail:

          

tleeson@rxnsys.com

          

   

Address:

          

17301 West Colfax Avenue, #160, CO 80401 - 4892

          

   

Phone:

          

(303) 881-7992                                                                                                                                                                                

          

   

Estimated Technology Readiness Level (TRL) :                                                                                                                                                          
Begin: 1
End: 4

          

          

     

Technical Abstract (Limit 2000 characters, approximately 200 words):

NASA is interested in improving the method to control CO₂ and water in the Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU) to meet the ambitious objectives of the Artemis program, which includes human presence on the surface of the Moon and Mars. These levels must be controlled to established values of 2.2 mm Hg at a metabolic rate of 2.44 g/min. Historically, the Metox has been used to remove CO₂ from the suit. The sorbent in the Metox has a finite capacity during an EVA and must be regenerated after the mission is complete. The capacity limits mission times, which can only be increased by making the Metox larger. The technology that is planned to replace the Metox is the RCA which utilizes two beds that are alternately used to remove CO₂ and H₂O and then regenerated by exposure to space vacuum. The RCA has been under development for over 10 years and has utilized an amine-based sorbent (SA9T). Although SA9T has good reversible CO₂ uptakes, higher capacities are desired to maintain low CO₂ levels and reduce O₂ losses. In addition, this sorbent emits low levels of ammonia which must be removed from the suit using a separate technology.

In this SBIR Phase I project, Reaction Systems will develop new sorbents that will outperform SA9T and at the same time exhibit reduced ammonia emissions. Reaction Systems’ strategy to accomplish this goal consists of two important components. The first component consists of identifying sorbents that have high probability to perform better than the SA9T. Reaction Systems has demonstrated expertise in the development of advanced sorbents for CO₂ control in both EVA and cabin applications and will also employ a consultant who is an expert in gas surface interactions and in the synthesis and characterization of organic compounds. The second component of our strategy is the application of a rapid screening method that will provide accurate and relevant performance data so compounds with the highest potential can be quickly identified.

          

          

     

Potential NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words):

This technology could be used for CO₂ control in a space craft cabin or on the surface of the Moon or Mars (Artemis goals). The CDRA, used on the ISS for CO₂ control, uses pressure and temperature swing adsorption cycle to remove CO₂. The CO₂ is removed with a mol sieve that is heated to 400°F during regeneration. The cycling causes the sorbent to break down into dust, which clogs filters or ends up in the cabin air. A sorbent that does not require a temperature increase for regeneration would reduce power consumption and eliminate dust.

          

          

     

Potential Non-NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words):

This could also be used for control of CO₂ emissions from power plants. The concentration of CO₂ in the atmosphere has increased from 280 ppm to over 400 ppm over the last 50 years primarily due to CO₂ emissions from fossil fuel combustion. An effective method to remove CO₂ could be used to remove CO₂ from the effluent and compress it into a concentrated liquid for sequestration, storage, or use.

          

          

     

Duration:     6