2009 Continued Testing of the Orion Atmosphere Revitalization Technology

摘要

An amine-based carbon dioxide (CO_2) and water vapor sorbent for use in pressure-swing regenerable beds has been developed by Hamilton Sundstrand and baselined for the Orion Atmosphere Revitalization System (ARS). Reports on extensive NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) tests of this technology have been presented in three previous years at this conference. Testing was performed in a sea-level pressure environment with both simulated and real human metabolic loads and in both open- and closed-loop configurations with two different test articles. A third test article design iteration was assessed in the latest series of such tests, performed in the first half of 2009. The new design incorporates a canister configuration modified for overall unit compactness and reduced pressure drop as well as a new process flow control valve that incorporates both compressed gas purge and dual-end vacuum desorption capabilities. This newest test article is very similar to the flight article designs. Baseline tests of the new unit were performed to compare its performance to that of previous test articles. Testing of compressed gas purge operations helped refine the launch pad operating condition recommendations developed in earlier testing. Operating conditions used in flight program computer models were tested to validate the model projections. Specific operating conditions recommended by the JSC test team based on past test results were also assessed for validation. The effects of vacuum regeneration line pressure on resulting cabin conditions was studied for high metabolic load periods, and a maximum pressure recommendation was developed.