Photocatalytic Purification of Spacecraft Air: Ethylene Destruction

A novel photocatalytic oxidation technology is described for destruction of trace contaminants such as ethylene encountered in spacecraft. Results are presented of both laboratory and prototype ethylene scrubbers capable of treating 2 to 6 SCFM of contaminated humid air. The scrubbers provided high destruction capacity per unit of photocatalyst, requiring minimal power usage for UV light illumination. Extremely active and humidity resistant photocatalysts were developed and destruction of ethylene was accomplished with residence times of less than 0.1 s with no byproduct formation.