Intermodule Ventilation Studies for the Space Station

This paper examines the ability of the space station intermodule ventilation system to maintain centralized control of CO₂ removal and O₂ supply. The resulting concentration gradients that will arise are calculated by assuming steady state, ideal gas, isothermal conditions, and perfect mixing of air within and between the pressurized elements. In order to estimate the degree of mixing actually obtained for a given ventilation scheme, a program has been developed under ECLSS Integration Analysis Contract NAS8-36407 for Marshall Space Flight Center based on a potential flow solution technique. Preliminary results from this study indicate that substantial short circuiting and recirculation air flow patterns could arise if a simple duct and diffuser air exchange method at the docking port interface were employed.