Mapping the Capabilities and Attributes of Solid Oxide Electrochemical Systems to Human Spaceflight Needs
NASA is sponsoring the development of a solid oxide electrochemical oxygen separation and compression system. This system is capable of extracting oxygen from a process stream of spacecraft cabin air, and compressing it to >27,000 kPa without mechanical compressors. Process temperatures are >650C, but the materials in contact with the oxygen do not burn. The system is called eCOG-C, Electrochemical Oxygen Generator and Compressor. A system capable of producing high pressure, high purity oxygen may have application as a method of recharging space suit oxygen tanks during human exploration missions. This paper describes the key performance parameters of a space suit oxygen tank recharge system, and places the key performance parameters of eCOG-c in the context of other methods of space suit oxygen tank recharge. This paper compares the eCOG-c configuration to an earlier electrochemical oxygen generator that has been prototyped and tested. Areas of emphasis for eCOG-C development are listed and described.