Project Title:

A Novel Ventilation Gas Conditioning System for an EMU

94-1	12.07	2323

A Novel Ventilation Gas Conditioning System for an EMU

Abstract:

Advanced technologies to reduce the weight and volume of the CO2 
and water removal and thermal management subsystems for the 
Portable Life Support System (PLSS) would be highly desirable. TDA 
Research, Inc. (TDA) has identified a non-expendable absorbent that 
removes both CO2 and H20 from the gas steam and rejects the heat of 
absorption to space efficiently at high temperature. A preliminary 
systems analysis shows that the sorbent has potential to 
substantially reduce system weight and 
volume while simplifying regeneration. The system makes use of 
a novel sorbent technology recently developed by TDA and 
successfully tested for gas cleanup in power plants. 
In Phase I TDA will prepare the new sorbent materials, measure 
their performance under simulated PLSS conditions, and test the 
best material over several cycles of absorption and 
regeneration. We will then design the EMU components and 
regeneration system, estimate the weight and power requirements 
for both the EMU and regeneration system, and compare the 
results to other advanced PLSS systems for space station and 
lunar applications. Phase II will prepare and test a prototype 
device.  

Cooling of personnel with portable breathing apparatus in hot 
and/or hazardous materials environments; including fire 
fighters, steel workers, workers handling hazardous materials, 
and military personnel operating in chemical or biological 
warfare conditions. 
KEY WORDS

TDA Research, Inc.
12345 West 52nd Avenue
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033