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Kevin Martin

Publications and source records attributed to Kevin Martin.

12 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2020

Development of an Adsorption System for the Trash Compaction Processing System designed for operation in the International Space Station Express Rack

A water recovery system that utilizes adsorption to work with the Trash Compaction Processing System, formerly known as the Heat Melt Compactor, is being designed at NASA Ames Research Center as an option to current state of the art micro-gravity water management systems and contaminant control systems used in space. The adsorption system will be used in conjunction with the International Space Station Vacuum Exhaust system to avoid both the complexities of gas liquid phase separation in micro-gravity and venting of Trash Compaction Processing System effluents to the spacecraft cabin. The adsorption system will allow the water and gaseous effluents generated during the Trash Compaction System operation to be removed in a matter that meets the Vacuum Exhaust System venting rate requirements. The Trash Compaction Processing System is planned to fly as a Technology Demonstration on the International Space Station in the space station EXPRESS Rack facility. This paper describes the trade space that the adsorption system must operate in using the EXPRESS Rack facilities resources including the use of the Space Station Vacuum Exhaust System. Also described in this paper are design solutions to allow the adsorption system to function within the Express Rack and Vacuum Exhaust System Parameters.

Heat Melt Compactor↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

The development and potential uses of an Adsorption Water Collection System for the Trash Compaction Processing System designed for operation in the International Space Station Express Rack

The use of adsorption as an alternative to current state of the art water collection and phase separation methods for human space flight is being investigated at NASA Ames Research Center. A system called the Adsorption Water Recovery System was designed to work with the Trash Compaction Processing System. The system uses modular adsorption columns that can be combined both in parallel and series and allow for relatively easy system sizing. The system is intended to be a standalone system that may also be adapted for other applications that involve adsorption. This paper describes the design and potential operating parameters and configurations of the Adsorption Water Recovery System.

trash↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Dew Point Simulation and Analysis of the Heat Melt Compactor Gas Effluent

The effluent gases and water vapor of the Trash Compaction and Processing System (TCPS) can be vented through the Vacuum Exhaust System (VES) if requirements are met. One of the constraints in this venting scenario is the dew point of the exhaust gases disposed into the VES must be less than 15.5 °C. With simulations using Aspen Plus and the effluent gas sample results of the Heat Melt Compactor (HMC), flash calculations were conducted in the modeling study to calculate the feed temperature and dew point at fixed pressures. Saturated vapor curves were produced and provided a preliminary result on optimal feed conditions that satisfy the dew point and vapor-phase only requirements after flashing across the throttle valve towards the VES.

trash↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Water Analysis of the Heat Melt Compactor

The Heat Melt Compactor (HMC) recovers water from trash at low temperatures and under vacuum conditions to obtain relatively cleaner water with less contaminants. The effluent water vapor is condensed and collected for analysis. The objectives of the analysis are to identify chemical components in the water sample, evaluate water quality, and assess the compatibility of the liquid effluent with the International Space Station (ISS) water systems. The evaluation of water quality includes total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations which provide a general indication of overall water quality, other defining characteristics such as pH and conductivity, and comparison with previous ISS water analytical data as a baseline for the evaluation.

trash↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Reduction of the Equivalent System Mass of a Trash Compaction Processing System Designed for Human Spaceflight Waste Management by Improving its Thermal Efficiency

A spacecraft life support system has been under development at NASA called the Trash Compaction Processing System that manages trash generated on human spaceflight missions. The trash composite typically includes components such as plastic pouches that contain wet food and drinks, used cotton clothing such as underwear and T-shirts, exercise clothing, used washcloths, expended deodorant containers, adhesive tapes, plastic bubble wrap, and other sundry items. The system uses compaction in combination with heat to turn the waste composite into a sturdy and well-defined shape, typically called a tile, which maintains structural integrity and makes the most efficient use of storage space. In addition to reducing the volume of the trash, the Trash Compaction Processing System removes water from the trash. The heating and removal of water from the trash renders it safe against microbial activity. This paper primarily focuses on work aimed at reducing the Equivalent System Mass of a Trash Compaction Processing System via a focus on improving the system’s thermal efficiency.

TCPS↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

The Trash Compaction Processing System (TCPS) Technology Demonstrations and Risk Reduction Activities 2023-2024

The Trash Compactor Processing System (TCPS) employs heat and pressure to safely compress spacecraft trash. The Next STEP Phase B Appendix 2 contract was awarded to Sierra Space for the development of ground and flight demonstration hardware, slated for testing on the International Space Station in 2026. Meanwhile, Ames Research Center is actively engaged in risk reduction activities related to in-house hardware, fine-tuning science objectives and test procedures.This paper will discuss the updated TCPS requirements and present the results of the risk reduction activities, which include moisture analysis, component offgas, and aerosol analysis.

Justine Tra-my Richardson↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Updated Analysis of the Source Contaminant Control System (SCCS) for the Trash Compaction and Processing System (TCPS)

The Trash Compaction and Processing System (TCPS) aims to reduce volume, biologically safen, physically stabilize, manage effluents, and recover resources from astronaut trash in the International Space Station (ISS). This process involves heating the trash to high temperatures, which in turn releases gaseous contaminants. A Source Contaminant Control System (SCCS) is planned to be implemented within the TCPS to convert these contaminants into carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and water (H 2 O) vapor. The SCCS is composed of a carbon adsorbent bed, to avoid catalyst poisoning, and a catalytic oxidizer (CatOx), which promotes oxidation of the contaminants to CO 2 and H 2 O. In turn, the gases coming out of the SCCS should be compatible to the ISS cabin and systems such as the Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS). This paper will individually evaluate the carbon bed and CatOx to understand what components the carbon bed removes and what contaminants are converted in the CatOx. Overall, this is an updated analysis of the SCCS design, operation, testing with results, and lessons learned.

Janine Criselda Young↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Water Collection, Recovery, and Bag Containment Analysis of Trash Models of the Trash Compaction and Processing System (TCPS)

The Trash Compaction and Processing System (TCPS) aims to reduce volume, biologically safen, physically stabilize, manage effluents, and recover resources from astronaut trash in the International Space Station (ISS). The Heat Melt Compactor (HMC) at NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) serves as a test system that supports TCPS development by conducting risk reduction activities associated with an ISS flight demonstration. One of the resources desired to be recovered is water from the trash. The HMC Gen 3 has undergone several tests of different trash models and cases in which a containment bag is used or not. This paper will analyze the water collected and recovered from these tests and analyze the effect of specific trash containment bags.

Janine Criselda Young↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Zotek® F30 Foam Processing in the Trash Compaction and Processing System (TCPS)

The Trash Compaction and Processing System (TCPS) aims to reduce volume, biologically safen, physically stabilize, manage effluents, and recover resources from astronaut trash in the International Space Station (ISS). The Heat Melt Compactor (HMC) at NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) serves as a test system that supports TCPS development by conducting risk reduction activities associated with an ISS flight demonstration. One of the risk reduction activities is to test processing for other types of trash models. A foam model was added to reduce the volume of foam that takes up space in the ISS. This paper will discuss Zotek® F30 foam processing in the HMC unit and testing verification in correlation to defined TCPS requirements.

Janine Criselda Young↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Reduction of Equivalent System Mass of a Trash Compaction Processing System with an Emphasis on Improved Thermal Efficiency

A spacecraft life support system has been under development at NASA called the Trash Compaction Processing System that manages trash generated on human spaceflight missions. The trash composite typically includes components such as plastic pouches that contain wet food and drinks, used cotton clothing such as underwear and T-shirts, exercise clothing, used washcloths, expended deodorant containers, adhesive tapes, plastic bubble wrap, and other sundry items. The system uses compaction in combination with heat to turn the waste composite into a sturdy and well-defined shape, typically called a tile, which maintains structural integrity and makes the most efficient use of storage space. In addition to reducing the volume of the trash, the Trash Compaction Processing System removes water from the trash. The heating and removal of water from the trash renders it safe against microbial activity. This paper primarily focuses on work aimed at reducing the Equivalent System Mass of a Trash Compaction Processing System via a focus on improving the system’s thermal efficiency.

Trash Compaction Processor↗