|
Search | Add a publication |
| ID No : | 767 Edit | Title: | Microwave Plasma Hydrogen Recovery System |
| Summary / Review : | "A microwave plasma reactor was developed for the recovery of hydrogen contained within waste methane produced by Carbon Dioxide Reduction Assembly (CRA), which reclaims oxygen from CO2. Since half of the H2 reductant used by the CRA is lost as CH4, the ability to reclaim this valuable resource will simplify supply logistics for longterm manned missions. Microwave plasmas provide an extreme thermal environment within a very small and precisely controlled region of space, resulting in very high energy densities at low overall power, and thus can drive high-temperature reactions using equipment that is smaller, lighter, and less power-consuming than traditional fixed-bed and fluidized-bed catalytic reactors. The high energy density provides an economical means to conduct endothermic reactions that become thermodynamically favorable only at very high temperatures. Microwave plasma methods were developed for the effective recovery of H2 using two primary reaction schemes: (1) methane pyrolysis to H2 and solid-phase carbon, and (2) methane oligomerization to H2 and acetylene. While the carbon problem is substantially reduced using plasma methods, it is not completely eliminated. For this reason, advanced methods were developed to promote CH4 oligomerization, which recovers a maximum of 75 percent of the H2 content of methane in a single reactor pass, and virtually eliminates the carbon problem. These methods were embodied in a prototype H2 recovery system capable of sustained high-efficiency operation. NASA can incorporate the innovation into flight hardware systems for deployment in support of future long-duration exploration objectives such as a Space Station retrofit, Lunar outpost, Mars transit, or Mars base. The primary application will be for the recovery of hydrogen lost in the Sabatier process for CO2 reduction to produce water in Exploration Life Support systems. Secondarily, this process may also be used in conjunction with a Sabatier reactor employed to stockpile life-support oxygen as well as propellant and fuel production from Martian atmospheric CO2" (Author's abstract) |
| Author(s) : |
Atwater, James; Wheeler, Richard, Jr.; Dahl, Roger; Hadley, Neal, [Marshall Space Flight Center] |
| Publication Date: | 2010 |
| Category(s) : |
Life / Habitats and biospherics / CELSS Life / Mobile Life Support (PLSS, LSHS) |
| Web URL : |
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20100033600; http://www.greendesignbriefs.com/component/content/article/8484
If this link is broken, please Add Comment below. We try to keep author contact details, and a backup copy in our offline library. |
| PERMANENT code(s) : | L,U |
|
(Explanation of the last 3 rows above) |
In the row above, there are up to 4 possibilities: U = URL you can click on to get a copy instantly from another source on the internet, or request it from that source D = Downloadable from PERMANENT (such as because no other URL known...) L = LAN copy, PERMANENT has a digital copy but not downloadable from our website P = Paper copy in the PERMANENT office Typically, only 0 to 3 methods are available. |
| NTRS : | 20100033600 |
| Other Ref # : | MFS-32769-1 |
| Submitted by : | MEP |
| Comments: |
Please add your thoughtful Comments to this paper after reading it. All comments are reviewed and approved before being posted publicly below. If you wish to submit a private comment to the curator, instead of a public comment, just write "Private" at the start of your comment. Corrections and suggested additions to our records are appreciated. |
Add Comment |