Environmental Control and Life Support System

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Environmental Control and Life Support System
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System Overview

• Atmosphere control and supply
• CO2 Filtering
• Trace contaminant control
• Temperature and humidity control
• Water recovery and management

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Atmosphere Control and Supply

• Nitrogen Oxygen Mix (80 N2 20 O2)
• Gasses are stored in a very cold liquid form
  (cryogenic tanks)
• Cryogenic heaters convert them from a liquid to a
  gas state so the crew can breath them

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Carbon Dioxide Filtering

• Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA)
• CO2 is captured molecularly in regenerable
  sorbent beds (Zeolite beads)
• When the Zeolite beads are heated the CO2 is
  separated and expelled into the space environment

CO2 molecule
Zeolite molecule
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Trace Contaminant Control

• Trace contaminant control subassembly detects any
  small amounts of contaminants from spills, leaks,
  or other events
• This will warn the crew of any dangers and can
  filter small amounts of the materials

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Temperature and Humidity Control

• Intermodule fans circulate air to keep all areas
  approximately the same temperature and humidity
• The cold plates will then pass any excess heat to
  the thermal control system
• Any condensation from humidity is collected and
  added to the water recovery and management system

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Water Recovery and Management

• Collects, stores, and distributes the stations
  water supply
• Water is stored in large bags brought by earth
  launches
• Collects both condensation from air, and return
  water from EVAs to add to the water supply
• Return water is filtered and recycled, then
  returned to the main supply
• Any non-recyclable wastes are stored for return
  to earth

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Water Recovery and Management (cont.)
Condenser
A - Particulate Matter Filter B - Chemical Filter
Evaporator
Heater
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Waste Collection
Oxygenation
B
A
Iodine
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4
2
Analyzer
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1
3
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