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At least 19 records

SPE (trademark) Oxygen Generator Assembly (OGA). (Refurbishment of the technology demonstrator LFSPE oxygen generation subsystem)

The SPE Oxygen Generator Assembly (OGA) has been modified to correct operational deficiencies present in the original system, and to effect changes to the system hardware and software such that its operating conditions are consistent with the latest configuration requirements for the International Space Station Alpha (ISSA). The effectiveness of these changes has recently been verified through a comprehensive test program which saw the SPE OGA operate for over 740 hours at various test conditions, including over 690 hours, or approximately 460 cycles, simulating the orbit of the space station. This report documents the changes made to the SPE OGA, presents and discusses the test results from the acceptance test program, and provides recommendations for additional development activities pertinent to evolution of the SPE OGA to a flight configuration. Copies of the test data from the acceptance test program are provided with this report on 3.5 inch diskettes in self-extracting archive files.

Roy, Robert J.↗

Status of the Advanced Oxygen Generation Assembly

Future Exploration missions will require an Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) to electrolyze water to supply oxygen for crew metabolic consumption. The system design will be based on the International Space Station (ISS) OGA but with added improvements based on lessons learned during ISS operations and technological advances since the original OGA was designed and built. The goal of these improvements will be to reduce spares mass and crew maintenance time while increasing reliability. Over the past year, the team has performed additional design reviews, testing and analysis in an effort to optimize upgrade efforts and achieve the best value that meets Exploration mission requirements. Upgrades that will be incorporated include: redesign of the electrolysis cell stack, redesign of the hydrogen dome, replacement of the hydrogen sensors, redesign of the recirculation loop deionizing bed, and incorporation of recirculation loop nitrogen purging and water flushing. The ISS OGA will be upgraded to an Advanced OGA (AOGA) configuration and its operation demonstrated in a relevant flight environment.

ECLSS↗

Status of the Advanced Oxygen Generation Assembly Design

Future Exploration missions will require an Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) to electrolyze water to supply oxygen for crew metabolic consumption. The system design will be based on the International Space Station (ISS) OGA but with added improvements based on lessons learned during ISS operations and technological advances since the original OGA was designed and built. The goal of these improvements will be to reduce system weight, crew maintenance time and spares mass while increasing reliability. Over the past year, the team has performed additional design reviews, testing and analysis in an effort to optimize upgrade efforts and achieve the best value that meets Exploration mission requirements. Upgrades that will be incorporated include: redesign of the electrolysis cell stack, redesign of the hydrogen dome, replacement of the hydrogen sensors, redesign of the recirculation loop deionizing bed, and incorporation of recirculation loop nitrogen purging and water flushing. The ISS OGA will be upgraded to an Advanced OGA (AOGA) configuration and its operation demonstrated in a relevant flight environment.

Oxygen Generation Assembly↗

Status of the Advanced Oxygen Generation Assembly Design

Future Exploration missions will require an Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) to electrolyze water to supply oxygen for crew metabolic consumption. The system design will be based on the international Space Station (ISS) OGA but with added improvements based on lessons learned during ISS operations and technological advances since the original OGA was designed and built. The goal of these improvements will be to reduce system mass, crew maintenance time and spares mass while increasing reliability. The design team has performed trade studies, tests and analyses to inform the redesign. Upgrades being considered include: redesign of the electrolysis cell stack, redesign of the hydrogen dome, replacement of the hydrogen sensors, redesign of the recirculation loop deionizing bed and redesign of the cell stack Power Supply Module. The ISS OGA will be upgraded to an Advanced OGA (AOGA) configuration and its operation demonstrated in a flight environment.

ECLSS↗

Status of the Advanced Oxygen Generation Assembly Design

Future Exploration missions will require an Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) to electrolyze water to supply oxygen for crew metabolic consumption. The system design will be based on the International Space Station (ISS) OGA but with added improvements based on lessons learned during ISS operations and technological advances since the original OGA was designed and built. The goal of these improvements will be to reduce system weight, crew maintenance time and spares mass while increasing reliability. Over the past year, the team has performed additional design reviews, testing and analysis in an effort to optimize upgrade efforts and achieve the best value that meets Exploration mission requirements. Upgrades that will be incorporated include: redesign of the electrolysis cell stack, redesign of the hydrogen dome, replacement of the hydrogen sensors, redesign of the recirculation loop deionizing bed, and incorporation of recirculation loop nitrogen purging and water flushing. The ISS OGA will be upgraded to an Advanced OGA (AOGA) configuration and its operation demonstrated in a relevant flight environment.

Oxygen Generation Assembly↗

Status of the Advanced Oxygen Generation Assembly

Future Exploration missions will require an Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) to electrolyze water to supply oxygen for crew metabolic consumption. The system design will be based on the International Space Station (ISS) OGA but with added improvements based on lessons learned during ISS operations and technological advances since the original OGA was designed and built. The goal of these improvements will be to reduce spares mass and crew maintenance time while increasing reliability. Over the past year, the team has performed additional design reviews, testing and analysis in an effort to optimize upgrade efforts and achieve the best value that meets Exploration mission requirements. Upgrades that will be incorporated include: redesign of the electrolysis cell stack, redesign of the hydrogen dome, replacement of the hydrogen sensors, redesign of the recirculation loop deionizing bed, and incorporation of recirculation loop nitrogen purging and water flushing. The ISS OGA will be upgraded to an Advanced OGA (AOGA) configuration and its operation demonstrated in a relevant flight environment.

Kevin Takada↗

Microbial Challenge Testing of Single Liquid Cathode Feed Water Electrolysis Cells for the International Space Station (ISS) Oxygen Generator Assembly (OGA)

The International Space Station (ISS) Oxygen Generator Assembly (OGA) operational performance may be adversely impacted by microbiological growth and biofilm formation over the electrolysis cell membranes. Biofilms could hinder the transport of water from the bulk fluid stream to the membranes and increase the cell resistance resulting in higher cell voltages and a shorter cell life. A microbial challenge test was performed on duplicate single liquid cathode feed electrolyzer cells to evaluate operational performance with increasing levels of a mixture of five bacteria isolated from ISS and Space Shuttle potable water systems. Baseline performance of the single water electrolysis cells was determined for approximately one month with deionized water. Monthly performance was also determined following each inoculation of the feed tank with 100, 1000, 10,000 and 100,000 cells/ml of the mixed suspension of test bacteria. Water samples from the feed tank and recirculating water loops for each cell were periodically analyzed for enumeration and speciation of bacteria and total organic carbon. While initially a concern, this test program has demonstrated that the performance of the electrolysis cell is not adversely impacted by feed water containing the five species of bacteria tested at a concentration measured as high as 1,000,000 colony forming units (CFU)/ml. This paper presents the methodologies used in the conduct of this test program along with the performance test results at each level of bacteria concentration.

Diderich, Greg S.↗

Microbial Challenge Testing of Single Liquid Cathode Feed Water Electrolysis Cells for the International Space Station (ISS) Oxygen Generator Assembly (OGA)

The International Space Station (ISS) Oxygen Generator Assembly (OGA) operational performance may be adversely impacted by microbiological growth and biofilm formation over the electrolysis cell membranes. Biofilms could hinder the transport of water from the bulk fluid stream to the membranes and increase the cell concentration overpotential resulting in higher cell voltages and a shorter cell life. A microbial challenge test was performed on duplicate single liquid-cathode feed water electrolysis cells to evaluate operational performance with increasing levels of a mixture of five bacteria isolated from ISS and Space Shuttle potable water systems. Baseline performance of the single water electrolysis cells was determined for approximately one month with deionized water. Monthly performance was also determined following each inoculation of the feed tank with 100, 1000, 10,000 and 100,000 cells/ml of the mixed suspension of test bacteria. Water samples from the feed tank and recirculating water loops for each cell were periodically analyzed for enumeration and speciation of bacteria and total organic carbon. While initially a concern, this test program has demonstrated that the performance of the electrolysis cell is not adversely impacted by feed water containing the five species of bacteria tested at a concentration measured as high as 1,000,000 colony forming units (CFU)/ml. This paper presents the methodologies used in the conduct of this test program along with the performance test results at each level of bacteria concentration.

Roy, Robert J.↗

Advanced Oxygen Generation Assembly for Exploration Missions

Future Exploration missions will require an Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) to electrolyze water to supply oxygen for crew metabolic consumption. The system design will be based on the International Space Station (ISS) OGA but with added improvements based on lessons learned during ISS operations and technological advances since the original OGA was designed and built. These improvements will reduce system weight, crew maintenance time and spares mass while increasing reliability. Currently, the design team is investigating the feasibility of the upgrades by performing ground tests and analyses. Upgrades being considered include: redesign of the electrolysis cell stack, deletion of the hydrogen dome, replacement of the hydrogen sensors, deletion of the wastewater interface, redesign of the recirculation loop deionizing bed and redesign of the cell stack Power Supply Module. The upgrades will be first demonstrated on the ISS OGA.

Takada, Kevin↗

Oxygen Generation Assembly Technology Development

Hamilton Standard Space Systems International (HSSI) is under contract to NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) to develop an Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) for the International Space Station (ISS). The International Space Station Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) electrolyzes potable water from the Water Recovery System (WRS) to provide gaseous oxygen to the Space Station module atmosphere. The OGA produces oxygen for metabolic consumption by crew and biological specimens. The OGA also replenishes oxygen lost by experiment ingestion, airlock depressurization, CO2 venting, and leakage. As a byproduct, gaseous hydrogen is generated. The hydrogen will be supplied at a specified pressure range above ambient to support future utilization. Initially, the hydrogen will be vented overboard to space vacuum. This paper describes the OGA integration into the ISS Node 3. It details the development history supporting the design and describes the OGA System characteristics and its physical layout.

Bagdigian, Robert↗

Oxygen Generation Assembly Design for Exploration Missions

Future Exploration missions will require an Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) to electrolyze water to supply oxygen for crew metabolic consumption. The system design will be based on the International Space Station (ISS) OGA but with added improvements based on lessons learned during ISS operations. These improvements will reduce system weight, crew maintenance time and resupply mass from Earth while increasing reliability. Currently, the design team is investigating the feasibility of the upgrades by performing ground tests and analyses. Upgrades being considered include: redesign of the electrolysis cell stack, deletion of the hydrogen dome, replacement of the hydrogen sensors, deletion of the wastewater interface, redesign of the recirculation loop deionizing bed and redesign of the cell stack Power Supply Module. The upgrades will be first demonstrated on the ISS OGA.

Takada, Kevin↗

Advancing the Oxygen Generation Assembly Design to Increase Reliability and Reduce Costs for a Future Long Duration Mission

The state-of-the-art Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) has been reliably producing breathing oxygen for the crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for over eight years. Lessons learned from operating the ISS OGA have led to proposing incremental improvements to advance the baseline design for use in a future long duration mission. These improvements are intended to reduce system weight, crew maintenance time and resupply mass from Earth while increasing reliability. The proposed improvements include replacing the cell stack membrane material, deleting the nitrogen purge equipment, replacing the hydrogen sensors, deleting the wastewater interface, replacing the hydrogen dome and redesigning the cell stack power supply. The development work to date will be discussed and forward work will be outlined. Additionally, a redesigned system architecture will be proposed.

Takada, Kevin C.↗

Flight Hydrogen Sensor for use in the ISS Oxygen Generation Assembly

This paper provides a description of the hydrogen sensor Orbital Replacement Unit (ORU) used on the Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA), to be operated on the International Space Station (ISS). The hydrogen sensor ORU is being provided by Makel Engineering, Inc. (MEI) to monitor the oxygen outlet for the presence of hydrogen. The hydrogen sensor ORU is a triple redundant design where each sensor converts raw measurements to actual hydrogen partial pressure that is reported to the OGA system controller. The signal outputs are utilized for system shutdown in the event that the hydrogen concentration in the oxygen outlet line exceeds the specified shutdown limit. Improvements have been made to the Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) based sensing element, screening, and calibration process to meet OGA operating requirements. Two flight hydrogen sensor ORUs have successfully completed the acceptance test phase. This paper also describes the sensor s performance during acceptance testing, additional tests planned to extend the operational performance calibration cycle, and integration with the OGA system.

MSadoques, George, Jr.↗

Using the International Space Station (ISS) Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) Is Not Feasible for Mars Transit

A review of two papers on improving the International Space Station (ISS) Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) shows that it would not save substantial mass on a Mars transit. The ISS OGA requires redesign for satisfactory operation, even for the ISS. The planned improvements of the OGA for ISS would not be sufficient to make it suitable for Mars, because Mars transit life support has significantly different requirements than ISS. The OGA for Mars should have lower mass, better reliability and maintainability, greater safety, radiation hardening, and capability for quiescent operation. NASA's methodical, disciplined systems engineering process should be used to develop the appropriate system.

Space station↗

Water Processor and Oxygen Generation Assembly

This report documents the results of the tasks which initiated efforts on design issues relating to the Water Processor (WP) and the Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) Flight Hardware for the International Space Station. This report fulfills the Statement of Work deliverables requirement for contract H-29387D. The following lists the tasks required by contract H-29387D: (1) HSSSI shall coordinate a detailed review of WP/OGA Flight Hardware program requirements with personnel from MSFC to identify requirements that can be eliminated without affecting the technical integrity of the WP/OGA Hardware; (2) HSSSI shall conduct the technical interchanges with personnel from MSFC to resolve design issues related to WP/OGA Flight Hardware; (3) HSSSI will initiate discussions with Zellwegger Analytics, Inc. to address design issues related to WP and PCWQM interfaces.

Bedard, John↗

Axiomatic Design Based Analysis and Equivalent Mass Comparison of Alternate Air Revitalization Systems

A proposed Photocatalytic Air Processor (PAP) would combine two atmosphere revitalization functions for a crewed spacecraft, carbon dioxide removal and oxygen provision. The axiomatic design method is used to develop the general requirements and alternate system designs that combine these two atmosphere revitalization functions. There are two current atmosphere revitalization approaches. Short missions such as the space shuttle use lithium hydroxide (LiOH) to remove carbon dioxide and tanks to provide oxygen. The ISS (International Space Station) uses the CDRA (Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly) to remove carbon dioxide and a Sabatier reactor and OGA (Oxygen Generation Assembly) to provide oxygen. The PAP could replace either of these combined systems, LiOH and oxygen tanks or the CDRA, Sabatier, and OGA. Axiomatic design is used to investigate these alternate high level system designs for atmosphere revitalization. The axiomatic design approach develops the requirements and design together from higher to lower system level, using a back-and-forth and top-down process. One objective is to reduce the coupling between design elements, which is a measure of system complexity. The equivalent system mass of the alternate systems is compared.

Jones, Harry W.↗

Ground Test Stand Development for One-step Electrochemical Production of High-Pressure Oxygen

NASA designed a test rig, High-Pressure Oxygen Generation Assembly (HPOGA) to test a novel method of electrolysis as an alternative technology to the state-of-the-art Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) currently on the International Space Station (ISS). This approach involves utilizing a specialized electrolysis cell stack designed to both generate and compress high-pressure oxygen up to 3600 PSIG. The design eliminates the need for an external compressor and hydrogen separator, streamlining the oxygen generation process. HPOGA tests the viability of an electrolysis cell stack for extended life usage. Within the system, there are several key subsystems: nitrogen, high/low pressure oxygen, hydrogen, water recirculation, and water injection. The water injection subsystem supplies deionized (DI) water to a centralized reservoir for consumption. Subsequently, a water recirculation loop transfers the DI water across the cathode side of the electrolysis cell stack with constant flow rate. The result is a supply of hydrogen in the water loop and oxygen accumulation on the anode side of the cell stack. Hydrogen is evaporated out as part of the hydrogen sub-system which also measures hydrogen/oxygen concentration for safety. The oxygen subsystem is responsible for managing high pressure oxygen, O2 exhaust, and conducting hydrogen/oxygen concentration measurements. The nitrogen subsystem serves dual functions, purging the hydrogen/oxygen subsystems, and regulating pressure in both high/low-pressure O2 sections via pneumatic back pressure regulators. Various sensors monitor pressure, temperature, humidity, gas concentration and flow rate in each subsystem. This paper presents the design and testing of a comprehensive test stand, which serves to operate and functionally verify the performance of the electrolysis cell while offering valuable lessons learned.

electrolysis↗

Assessment of Service Life for Regenerative ECLSS Resin Beds

The International Space Station (ISS) Water Processor Assembly (WPA) and Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) manage and process water at various levels of cleanliness for multiple purposes. The effluent of theWPA and the influent of the OGA require water at very high levels of purity. The bulk of the water purification that occurs in both systems is performed by consumable activated carbon and ion exchange resin beds. Replacement beds must be available on orbit in order to continue the ISS critical processes of water purification and oxygen generation. Various hurdles exist in order to ensure viable spare resin beds. These include the characteristics of resin beds such as: storage environment, shelf life requirements, microbial growth, and variations in the levels and species of contaminants the beds are required to remove. Careful consideration has been given to match water models, bed capacities and spares traffic models to ensure that spares are always viable. The results of these studies and considerations, in particular, how shelf life requirements affect resin bed life management, are documented in this paper.

Cloud, Dale L.↗