Air Revitalization System Study for Japanese Space Station

One of the most closely related system to the life of crew in a manned spacecraft is the Environment Control and Life Support System. ECLSS includes such functions as temperature control, humidity control, pressure control, air circulation, carbon dioxide removal and concentration, carbon dioxide reduction and oxygen generation, and contamination control. The first Japanese space habitable system called JEM (Japanese Experimental Module) will be operated by being attached to the U.S. Space Station. Several functions such as CO2 and trace contaminant control are considered in JEM. while others are dependent on the U.S. module. (1)* It is necessary to expand ECLS functions for the future Japanese peculiar space station.

Solid Amine water desorbed carbon dioxide removal and concetration test bed using heat recovery provision for the energy saving operation has been successfully tested with more than 99% of carbon dioxide concentration purity. Sabatier carbon dioxide reduction test bed including Methane cracking function has demonstrated high efficiencies over 99% both for solid carbon production and water recovery. Water electrolysis oxygen generation device using Nafion membrane as solid electrolite has shown low voltage characteristics to produce oxygen for cabin air and hydrogen for subsequent Sabatier reaction. Trace contaminant control system using improved activated carbon combined with catalytic oxidization process presented significant effect to reduce most of the trace contaminants considered in habitable area.

This paper describes recent study achievement in key technologies necessary to establish air revitalization system of the ECLSS for the future Japanese space station.