Methane Pyrolysis Enables Closed Loop ECLSS – Progress Report for Advanced Materials Reactor and Advances in Reducing Substrate ESM

The methane pyrolysis system, paired with a Sabatier reactor and the electrolysis of water, allows complete recovery of the oxygen value of carbon dioxide by converting methane to hydrogen and carbon. This closes the loop for oxygen and hydrogen in the life support system, minimizing the quantity of water that must be supplied for long-duration missions. Honeywell is building a Flight-Like Advanced Materials Reactor sized for 4 crew members using lightweight materials and an innovative approach to minimizing power consumption. The solid carbon product from hydrogen recovery via methane pyrolysis is compact, non-sooty and easily handled, and may have uses during flight. This product is collected on carbon fiber substrates that represent a consumable over the flight duration. New advances in the design of these substrates minimize their weight and the number required over the mission duration.