Environmental Control and Life Support System

1. Environmental Control and Life Support System

2. System Overview • Atmosphere control and supply • CO2 Filtering • Trace contaminant control • Temperature and humidity control • Water recovery and management

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Water Recovery and Management • Collects, stores, and distributes the station’s 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

8. Water Recovery and Management (cont.) Condenser A - Particulate Matter Filter B - Chemical Filter Evaporator Heater 5 Waste Collection Oxygenation B A Iodine 7 8 9 4 2 Analyzer 10 3 1 12 11