Integrated Air Revitalization System for Space Station

The Space Station Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) consists of 51 functions. These functions are mostly independent of interactions. One exception is the regenerative air revitalization functions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) removal, carbon dioxide (CO₂) reduction and oxygen (O₂) generation. Integration of these interdependent functions and humidity control into a single system provides significant opportunities for process simplification and reductions in power, weight and volume requirements compared to the use of discrete subsystems. An example of the magnitude of the opportunities provided is given by the ARS-1 developed by Life Systems under the sponsorship of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Information presented in this paper quantifies the savings achieved by this integration and identifies other advantages available through process integration.