Effluent Scrubbing of Engine Exhaust of a Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Engine Project

The Institute for Clean Energy Technology (ICET) at MSU already supports long-standing high-efficiency nuclear particulate air (HEPA) filtration research as well as other related research. This project will explore nuclear effluent scrubbing to support Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP). The project will evaluate NTP engine exhaust scrubbing requirements and define corresponding filter and scrubbing system size requirements for selecting filter material, operating temperature range, static and trans-filter pressure differential maximum/minimum, and associated effluent flow rate. The project will provide technical assistance in establishing facility requirements; i.e., pre & post-test safety, filter inspection and hazard mitigation. Scrubber system operational constraints with selected filter technologies, post-test/operations, facility safety, filter replacement disposal requirements, and facility cost estimates will be better developed at the project's conclusion. The goal was to advance the technical immaturity of the direct gas treatment (effluent scrubbing) approach; and to investigate filtering feasibility and identify design requirements. The scope of this effort includes the following: (1) identify and research the latest technologies available for radioactive effluent scrubbing that would work on the magnitude required for testing an NTP engine and stage vehicle development (i.e., up to 30 lbs/sec hydrogen flow rate for 1 hour duration) and (2) scope and estimate costs required for work and effort necessary to develop a hydrogen scrubber system to support NASA's NTP engine and stage development anticipated goals. More »