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Operational Experience with the Internal Thermal Control System Dual-Membrane Gas Trap
Technical Paper
2003-01-2565
ISSN: 0148-7191, e-ISSN: 2688-3627
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English
Abstract
A dual-membrane gas trap is currently used to remove non-condensed gases (NCG) from the Internal Thermal Control System (ITCS) coolant on board the International Space Station. The gas trap consists of concentric tube membrane pairs, comprised of outer hydrophilic tubes and inner hydrophobic fibers. Liquid coolant passes through the outer hydrophilic membrane, which traps the NCG. The inner hydrophobic fiber allows the trapped NCG to pass through and vent to the ambient atmosphere in the cabin. The purpose of the gas trap is to prevent gas bubbles from causing depriming, overspeed, and shutdown of the ITCS pump, and the current gas trap has performed flawlessly in this regard. However, because of actual operational conditions on-orbit, its gas removal performance and operational lifetime have been affected. This paper discusses experiences with several of these dual-membrane gas traps, including on-orbit gas venting rate, effects due to the presence of nickel in the ITCS coolant, and subsequent refurbishing to remove the nickel from the gas trap.
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Citation
Leimkuehler, T., Lukens, C., Reeves, D., and Holt, J., "Operational Experience with the Internal Thermal Control System Dual-Membrane Gas Trap," SAE Technical Paper 2003-01-2565, 2003, https://doi.org/10.4271/2003-01-2565.Also In
References
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- Faust, M. B. Zhou S. J. Brubaker I. M. “Dual-Membrane Gas Trap for the Space Station Freedom Internal Thermal Control System,” SAE Paper 932162 23rd International Conference on Environmental Systems Colorado Springs, Colorado July 1993
- Supra Dittmer Faust L., M. Zhou S. “Development of a Thermal Control System Dual Membrane Gas Trap,” SAE Paper 951461 25th International Conference on Environmental Systems San Diego, California July 1995
- Humphrey, J. Supra L. Faust M. “A Thermal Control System Dual Membrane Gas Trap for the International Space Station,” SAE Paper 972410 27th International Conference on Environmental Systems Lake Tahoe, Nevada July 1997