Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer
High Capacity Multi-Stage Scroll Compressor for Mars Atmosphere Acquisition
Project Description
The proposed innovation supports technologies for In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) processes by collecting and pressurizing gasses from the Mars atmosphere for eventual oxygen production by use of Solid Oxide Electrolysis (SOXE). There are several ways to capture and pressurize CO2, including freezing at cryogenic temperatures, mechanical compression, and absorption. Completed studies on each approach, have generally favored cryogenic temperature and mechanical compression solutions. Recently, mechanical compression has gained momentum through the Mars Oxygen ISRU Experiment (MOXIE), which utilizes an Air Squared compressor for mechanical compression of CO2. If this approach is pursued further for a larger system, there are still several questions concerning reliability over 10,000 hours of autonomous operation in Mars environment and scalability. Air Squared plans on addressing these issues as part of Phase II.The proposed innovation is a Martian Atmosphere Scroll Compressor (MASC). Dealing with the low pressures of the Martian atmosphere, the MASC functions like a vacuum pump utilizing Air Squared scroll compressor technology. During Phase I, Air Squared tested several orbiting and spinning scroll prototypes on CO2 at a wide range of discharge pressures and superior efficiency was demonstrated with lower discharge pressures. Parallel efforts by NASA-JPL on MOXIE, showed no performance degradation of the SOXE at reduced pressures down to 4.4 PSIA. Additionally, reducing the cathode pressure provides more margin against starting to electrolyze CO. For this reason, Air Squared has decided to focus exclusively on collection-only in an attempt to concentrate efforts on a lightweight and efficient MASC, supporting oxygen generation. The following proposed Phase II work will further develop both a spinning and orbiting scroll MASC for providing 2.7 kg/hr of CO2 at discharge pressures between 4.4 and 15 PSIA.
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Anticipated Benefits
To meet NASA�s ambitious goal of human exploration of Mars, the MASC provides in-situ resource utilization for the production of oxygen and fuel derived from the CO2 rich Martian atmosphere. Designed to minimize size, weight, and power requirements without compromising efficiency, the MASC is applicable to NASA�s many atmospheric collection and monitoring demands. Engineered for the collection of CO2 for the Mar Rover 2020 mission, the MASC is a next-generation evolution of Air Squared�s successful MOXIE scroll compressor, re-imagined for human exploration of space. Scaled up, the MASC would apply to storage and utilization of CO2 on future Mars missions to supply the raw materials for oxygen and fuel production. Scaled down, the MASC could be integrated onboard NASA�s crewed spacecraft to collect and analyze atmospheric particulate to monitor the safety of the astronauts on board. Additionally, the MASC could fulfill the atmospheric monitoring and safety needs on board the ISS by collecting CO2 and other toxins and regulating the breathable environment. Via a low power, compact, and reliable design, the MASC could reduce space transit fuel costs for Mars exploration crews by supplying them with oxygen and fuel for the journey back home.
Where size, weight, and power are at a premium, the MASC excels, making it a perfect fit for military and commercial aerospace markets. The MASC could replace state of the art air compressors in On-Board Oxygen Generation Systems (OBOGS) which recycles cabin atmosphere in military aircraft, eliminating the need for heavy and tightly temperature controlled liquid oxygen tanks, thereby extending mission lengths and increasing pilot performance. Air Squared has an existing partnership with Cobham Manufacturing to produce scroll air compressors in their OBOGSs and once testing is completed, the MASC would be a next-generation upgrade for military aircraft. A spinning scroll compressor design, like the MASC, would minimize space and weight needs while maintaining versatile compatibility with several different military aircraft. Integrated as an air compressor for aviation potable water systems, the MASC could provide more efficient, lighter, and smaller solution to the commercial air transportation industry. The MASC could reach a market already established in Air Squared�s partnership with Airbus to retrofit their current potable water system. The adaptive MASC would solve previous reliability issues through its less complex spinning scroll design. If successful, the spinning scroll MASC will provide a pathway for tailoring the technology to the additional compressor and vacuum pump applications in the commercial aerospace industry. More »
Where size, weight, and power are at a premium, the MASC excels, making it a perfect fit for military and commercial aerospace markets. The MASC could replace state of the art air compressors in On-Board Oxygen Generation Systems (OBOGS) which recycles cabin atmosphere in military aircraft, eliminating the need for heavy and tightly temperature controlled liquid oxygen tanks, thereby extending mission lengths and increasing pilot performance. Air Squared has an existing partnership with Cobham Manufacturing to produce scroll air compressors in their OBOGSs and once testing is completed, the MASC would be a next-generation upgrade for military aircraft. A spinning scroll compressor design, like the MASC, would minimize space and weight needs while maintaining versatile compatibility with several different military aircraft. Integrated as an air compressor for aviation potable water systems, the MASC could provide more efficient, lighter, and smaller solution to the commercial air transportation industry. The MASC could reach a market already established in Air Squared�s partnership with Airbus to retrofit their current potable water system. The adaptive MASC would solve previous reliability issues through its less complex spinning scroll design. If successful, the spinning scroll MASC will provide a pathway for tailoring the technology to the additional compressor and vacuum pump applications in the commercial aerospace industry. More »
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Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Squared, Inc. | Lead Organization | Industry | Broomfield, Colorado |
| Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) | Supporting Organization | FFRDC/UARC | Pasadena, California |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
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California
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Colorado
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