The Impact of Trace Contaminants on the Shuttle Orbiter Regenerative CO2 Removal System

951540

07/01/1995

Event
International Conference on Environmental Systems
Authors Abstract
Content
There is a possibility that trace contaminants in the Shuttle Orbiter cabin atmosphere may chemically react with amine beads found in the Regenerative Carbon Dioxide Removal System and degrade system performance. Two contaminant compounds were exposed to the amine beads, and performance changes were measured. Acetone was tested because it is sometimes found in small but appreciable quantities in the cabin, and it has chemical properties that make it a potential poison. Halon 1301 was tested because it is the fire extinguishant, and a discharge of a Halon canister would trigger high concentrations in the cabin. Acetone was shown to be weakly and reversibly adsorbed. It does not poison the bed, and the RCRS was shown to remove small quantities of acetone. Halon was shown to be inert to the amine. It does not poison the RCRS, and is not removed by the RCRS.
Meta TagsDetails
DOI
https://doi.org/10.4271/951540
Pages
8
Citation
Graf, J., and Spexarth, G., "The Impact of Trace Contaminants on the Shuttle Orbiter Regenerative CO2 Removal System," SAE Technical Paper 951540, 1995, https://doi.org/10.4271/951540.
Additional Details
Publisher
Published
Jul 1, 1995
Product Code
951540
Content Type
Technical Paper
Language
English