Microgravity environments pose a unique challenge in separating liquid/gas mixtures, the liquid most commonly being water. This device seeks to separate dissolved and dispersed gasses from water efficiently, in a compact lightweight device, which has no moving parts and does not consume power. It can be incorporated into ECLSS systems for the space station to recover and reclaim water from a) a full body shower system, b) CO2 reduction subsystem, c) laundry subsystem, d) galley and wardroom applications and e) EVA life Support.
This technology will be dual use. In addition to degasifying in the spacecraft life support system they can be used in industrial applications to degas organics or other low surface energy fluids. Industrial examples include degassing and dewatering of oil, degassing coating solutions, avoiding pump cavitation, deoxygenating pharmaceuticals and deoxygenating orange juice. Our close working relationship with two major membrane companies aid in both development and commercialization.
More »