A new carbon dioxide scrubber system is undergoing development for extended duration orbiter (EDO) missions. The EDO requirements of missions up to 18 days and the capability for future missions up to 30 days necessitated the development and implementation of a regenerative CO2 removal process. This new system will reduce the launch weight and stowage volume as compared to the present method of CO2 removal, lithium hydroxide, which is stowed in canisters.
The selected design, called the Regenerable CO2 Removal System (RCRS), uses a solid amine material to adsorb carbon dioxide and water vapor and periodically desorb these to space vacuum. The RCRS, which is located below the middeck floor, interfaces with the orbiter's cabin Atmospheric Revitalization System (ARS) and is adjustable from four to seven crewmembers. The RCRS is designed to automatically cycle the beds from adsorb to vacuum-desorb every 30 minutes. Also incorporated into the design are features such as consumable recovery, external leak protection, trace contaminant control, and automatic control logic operation.
This paper describes the design and development status of the RCRS.