 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| . |  |
. |
 by Staff Writers Moscow (Sputnik) May 25, 2018
The new system works by extracting carbon dioxide from the air inside a space station or spacecraft and processing it into methane and water. The Research and Design Institute of Chemical Engineering (NIIKhimMash), Russia's leading enterprise for space-based life support systems, has confirmed plans to create a new CO2-H2O conversion system in its recently published annual report. The new regenerative water system joins other projects being developed by the institute, including a shower, sauna, washbasin, washing machine, and sanitary and potable water systems. Speaking to Sputnik, scientists from the Russian Academy of Sciences' Institute of Biomedical Problems outlined the types of technical challenges faced by carbon dioxide conversion and regenerative water systems in space. In a closed environment, the carbon dioxide formed when a cosmonaut breathes should not exceed 0.5 percent of the atmosphere (on Earth it's only 0.03 percent). Anything above that leads to discomfort, weakness, headaches and problems with concentration and attention span. A carbon dioxide concentration of 13 percent is lethal for human beings. "There is a limit in the concentration of carbon dioxide under which a person can work," Institute specialist Margarita Levinskih explained. "After that, when the body accumulates excess carbon dioxide and becomes unable to work, hypercapnia occurs; the functions of respiration, circulation, and brain activity are disturbed." With this in mind, she noted, any new technologies for processing carbon dioxide in space can only be welcomed. At the moment, the primary carbon dioxide removal system aboard the International Space Station is the Vozdukh (i.e., Air) system created by NIIKhimMash. The system uses special zeolite absorbers to capture carbon dioxide and expel it from the station. The head of the Institute of Biomedical Problems, Alexander Suvorov, believes that the new system will likely be based on new, stricter requirements concerning the carbon dioxide concentrations considered permissible. The scientist recalled, for example, that American scientists have pointed to the deterioration in their eyesight in the present conditions. "One possible cause for this is a high level of carbon dioxide, which affects the vascular tone and leads to problems in cerebral circulation and subsequently, vision problems," Suvorov explained. "In the Russian segment [of the station], the existing standards have remained. But these standards will most likely be revised. It's desirable to have a carbon dioxide level of 0.3 percent or even less," the scientist added. Several other NIIKhimMash-created systems already operate onboard the ISS, including the SRV-K2M multifiltration unit, the SRV-UM urine-based water reclamation system, the Electron-VM oxygen electrolysis system and the SOA-MP system, which cleans the atmosphere inside the ISS from micro impurities. Source: Sputnik News
One detector doesn't 'fit all' for smoke in spacecraft Washington DC (SPX) May 02, 2018 What had been a peaceful and productive mission for the six men aboard the Russian space station Mir, including U.S. astronaut Jerry Linenger, nearly became a tragic nightmare during the evening of Feb. 24, 1997. A lithium-perchlorate canister, designed to generate oxygen via a chemical reaction, suddenly burst into flames when activated. Although the fire was quickly subdued, a dense, life-threatening smoke - different in form and movement from its gravity bound counterpart on Earth - rapidly filled th ... read more
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us. |
del.icio.us
Digg
Reddit
Google
