Post-Flight Sampling and Loading Characterization of Trace Contaminant Control Subassembly Charcoal
2003-01-2487
07/07/2003
- Event
- Content
- Trace chemical contaminants produced by equipment offgassing and human metabolic processes are removed from the atmosphere of the International Space Station's U.S. Segment by a trace contaminant control subassembly (TCCS). The TCCS employs a combination of physical adsorption, thermal catalytic oxidation, and chemical adsorption processes to accomplish its task. A large bed of granular activated charcoal is a primary component of the TCCS. The charcoal contained in this bed, known as the charcoal bed assembly (CBA), is expendable and must be replaced periodically. Pre-flight engineering analyses based upon TCCS performance testing results established a service life estimate of 1 year. After nearly 1 year of cumulative in-flight operations, the first CBA was returned for refurbishment. Charcoal samples were collected and analyzed for loading to determine the best estimate for the CBA's service life. A history of in-flight TCCS operations is presented as well as a discussion of the charcoal sampling procedures and chemical analysis results. A projected service life derived from the observed charcoal loading is provided.
- Pages
- 12
- Citation
- Perry, J., Cole, H., Cramblitt, E., El-Lessy, H. et al., "Post-Flight Sampling and Loading Characterization of Trace Contaminant Control Subassembly Charcoal," SAE Technical Paper 2003-01-2487, 2003, https://doi.org/10.4271/2003-01-2487.