Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Graduate
Project Type
individual
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Franyerson Lopez Ochoa, Graduate student
Lead Presenter's Name
Franyerson Lopez Ochoa
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Aviation
Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. Andrew Dattel
Abstract
This study follows a quantitative, non-experimental, existing-data design to examine the optimization of carbon dioxide removal in spacecraft’s Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) through the integration of nonlinear isotherm modeling and process-level cycle simulation. Existing carbon dioxide adsorption equilibrium data from multiple zeolite sorbents, including Grace Davison Grade (544 13X, 522 5A, and 514 4A), Honeywell UOP (APG-III, LiLSX VSA-10), and BASF 13X, is analyzed to determine which adsorption models best represent carbon dioxide loading behavior and how these models can be used to reduce energy consumption in spacecraft regeneration processes. The study fitted eight nonlinear isotherm models – Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, Halsey, Toth, Sips, Redlich-Peterson, and Radke-Prausnitz – to more than 100 experimental pressure-loading observations using nonlinear regression. Additionally, the study assessed model accuracy using an extensive set of statistical criteria, including the coefficient of determination, the sum of squares error, root-mean-square error, average relative error, the hybrid fractional error function, Marquardt's percent standard deviation, the sum of absolute errors, and chi-square test, Akaike information criterion, Bayesian information criterion, and the sum of normalized errors. The Toth and Sips models emerge as the most accurate representations of heterogeneity in the zeolite adsorption sites. From the best-fitting models, this study derived thermodynamic parameters, including Gibbs free energy, entropy change, and the isosteric heat of adsorption, which estimated desorption temperatures, regeneration energy, and the specific energy required to remove one kilogram of carbon dioxide. Finally, equilibrium parameters imported into Aspen Adsorption simulated temperature-swing and pressure-swing adsorption cycles under spacecraft-relevant conditions. Simulation outcomes indicate potential reductions of 15-25 percent in regeneration energy and shorter desorption cycle times when using optimized sorbent-cycle combinations. The study concludes that combining nonlinear isotherm modeling with Aspen-based dynamic cycle simulation provides an effective strategy for improving carbon dioxide removal efficiency and reducing power requirements in future spacecraft life-support systems.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
No
OPTIMIZATION OF CO₂ REMOVAL IN CARBON DIOXIDE REMOVAL ASSEMBLY (CDRA) USING NONLINEAR EQUILIBRIUM MODELING AND ZEOLITE-BASED ADSORPTION SIMULATION
This study follows a quantitative, non-experimental, existing-data design to examine the optimization of carbon dioxide removal in spacecraft’s Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) through the integration of nonlinear isotherm modeling and process-level cycle simulation. Existing carbon dioxide adsorption equilibrium data from multiple zeolite sorbents, including Grace Davison Grade (544 13X, 522 5A, and 514 4A), Honeywell UOP (APG-III, LiLSX VSA-10), and BASF 13X, is analyzed to determine which adsorption models best represent carbon dioxide loading behavior and how these models can be used to reduce energy consumption in spacecraft regeneration processes. The study fitted eight nonlinear isotherm models – Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, Halsey, Toth, Sips, Redlich-Peterson, and Radke-Prausnitz – to more than 100 experimental pressure-loading observations using nonlinear regression. Additionally, the study assessed model accuracy using an extensive set of statistical criteria, including the coefficient of determination, the sum of squares error, root-mean-square error, average relative error, the hybrid fractional error function, Marquardt's percent standard deviation, the sum of absolute errors, and chi-square test, Akaike information criterion, Bayesian information criterion, and the sum of normalized errors. The Toth and Sips models emerge as the most accurate representations of heterogeneity in the zeolite adsorption sites. From the best-fitting models, this study derived thermodynamic parameters, including Gibbs free energy, entropy change, and the isosteric heat of adsorption, which estimated desorption temperatures, regeneration energy, and the specific energy required to remove one kilogram of carbon dioxide. Finally, equilibrium parameters imported into Aspen Adsorption simulated temperature-swing and pressure-swing adsorption cycles under spacecraft-relevant conditions. Simulation outcomes indicate potential reductions of 15-25 percent in regeneration energy and shorter desorption cycle times when using optimized sorbent-cycle combinations. The study concludes that combining nonlinear isotherm modeling with Aspen-based dynamic cycle simulation provides an effective strategy for improving carbon dioxide removal efficiency and reducing power requirements in future spacecraft life-support systems.