SBIR 95-1 SOLICITATION

PROJECT SUMMARY

Proposal Number:

12.08-0017

Project Title:

A NEW PHOTOCATALYTIC REACTOR FOR TRACE CONTAMINANT CONTROL IN AIR

Technical Abstract:

A variety of trace contaminants can accumulate in the atmosphere of a spacecraft's cabin, where they pose a health threat to the human occupants. Providing the crew with an environment that is free from pollutants is a high priority. This proposal concerns a photocatalytic air cleaning process in which contaminants are photodegraded on semiconductor surfaces. The benefits of this method are that there are no consumables other than oxygen, it operates at near ambient temperatures, and it can be effective against a broader range of contaminants than existing air cleaning methods. A new type of high surface area reactor design will be investigated that can overcome many of the limitations of existing photocatalytic air cleaning processes. Incorporated into the reactor design is a method allowing it to use high intensity solar radiation in outer space. Photocatalytic systems work much more efficiently using solar radiation outside of the earth's atmosphere. It also means that the process will work without use of an on-board power source. The purpose of Phase I is to demonstrate the feasibility of the reactor and to test its activity using a range of contaminants found in the cabin atmosphere.

Potential Commercial Applications:

The proposed method of controlling contaminant levels inside a spacecraft has immediate terrestrial benefits as a method for controlling in-door air pollution. The EPA estimates that 10% of all people in the U.S. have had symptoms of "Sick Building Syndrome" (SBS) i.e., have suffered symptoms such as hypersensitivity, fever, allergic rhinitis and asthma, caused by in-door air pollution. The problem is extremely costly to the Nation because of decreased worker productivity and increased health care costs. Modern, well constructed, energy efficient "tight buildings" have been the ones most frequently associated with worker health problems. Methods for controlling contaminants in a spacecraft ("the ultimate tight building") can be incorporated into terrestrial building designs to minimize SBS. Furthermore, new methods for air cleaning are urgently needed by industry for air pollution control.

Name and Address of Offeror:

Lynntech. Inc.
7610 Eastmark Drive, Suite 105
College Station, Texas 77840