DUBLIN, OH – August 11, 2021 – Adsorption Research Inc. (ARI), the leader in adsorption-based separation and purification technologies, announced its recent test program launch of the Orion Smoke Eater Filter (OSEF) project—a subsystem of NASA’s Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS).
“The OSEF project is for the Orion Exploration Mission and subsequent missions,” said Kent Knaebel, PE, Ph.D., founder & president of ARI. “The OSEF will provide on-orbit post-fire clean-up of particulates and harmful gases released during a fire event onboard the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV).”
According to Knaebel, a cabin fire onboard Orion MPCV presents a potentially catastrophic situation for the crew, vehicle, and mission. “Fire contaminates the cabin atmosphere with smoke particulates and harmful gases. In addition, water released into the atmosphere by the Portable Fire Extinguisher (PFE) System during firefighting activities will add to the contaminated environment,” he added.
The OSEF is designed to provide post-fire clean-up of the particulates and harmful gases released during a fire event. It is comprised of a detachable pre-filter to capture particulates and a primary filter consisting of a sorbent layer (activated carbon) and carbon monoxide oxidation catalyst to remove contaminant gases.
“Our next phase is to conduct a chemical gas challenge test (at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base -WPAFB) to evaluate the performance of the Orion Smoke Eater Filter (OSEF) primary filter when subjected to multiple contaminant gases that are representative of a fire onboard the Orion MPCV,” explained Knaebel. “Mission go for us, means the OSEF will reduce the contaminant gas concentrations within the Orion MPCV representative volume to at or below the 1-hour Spacecraft Maximum Allowable Concentration (SMAC) values.”
About Adsorption Research, Inc. (ARI)
Adsorption Research, Inc. (ARI) develops separation and purification technologies, using the principles of adsorption, to address technical and societal challenges. ARI focuses on developing technologies that remove contaminants, such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and oxygen from biogas. ARI is also focused on emerging global needs, like water purification, CO2 capture, gas purifications for electronics and healthcare applications, and air quality enhancement. Founded in 1992, ARI combines industrial, academic, and scientific expertise that offers clients a full-service approach, resolving their most complex separation challenges into simplified solutions. Visit www.adsorption.com.
For More Information, Please Contact:
Jarret Chirafisi, +1 (614) 652-9224, j.chirafisi@adsorption.com