Abstract: In an aspect, the oxygen concentrator module can comprise an electrochemical cell (40) comprising a cathode (34), an anode (54), a proton exchange membrane (42) located in between the cathode (34) and the anode (54), a cathode side chamber (32) located on a side of the cathode (34) opposite the proton exchange membrane (42), and an anode side chamber (52) located on a side of the anode (54) opposite the proton exchange membrane (42); a gas feed stream (10) in fluid communication with the cathode side chamber (32); a concentrated oxygen stream (56) in fluid communication with the anode side chamber (52) to remove the concentrated oxygen stream (56) from the anode side chamber (52); a separated water stream (96) in fluid communication with the cathode side chamber (32) to remove the separated water stream (96) from the cathode side chamber (32); and an enthalpy exchanger (20) in fluid communication with the cathode side chamber (32) via an exchanged stream (22), wherein the gas feed stream (10) is in fluid comm

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method for recovering carbon dioxide comprises introducing a carbon dioxide rich stream to a scrubber comprising a metal hydroxide and allowing the carbon dioxide to react with the metal hydroxide to form a metal carbonate; directing a metal carbonate stream from the scrubber to an electrochemical concentrator and applying a potential to the electrochemical concentrator to form a metal hydroxide stream and a separated carbon dioxide stream; directing the metal hydroxide stream comprising a recovered metal hydroxide and hydrogen to an electrochemical separator and applying a potential to the electrochemical separator to separate the hydrogen forming a hydrogen recycle stream from the recovered metal hydroxide forming a metal hydroxide recycle stream; and directing the separated carbon dioxide stream to a gas liquid separator and separating the separated carbon dioxide stream into a recycled water stream and a concentrated carbon dioxide stream.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method for recovering carbon dioxide comprises introducing a carbon dioxide rich stream to a scrubber comprising a metal hydroxide and allowing the carbon dioxide to react with the metal hydroxide to form a metal carbonate; directing a metal carbonate stream from the scrubber to an electrochemical concentrator and applying a potential to the electrochemical concentrator to form a metal hydroxide stream and a separated carbon dioxide stream; directing the metal hydroxide stream comprising a recovered metal hydroxide and hydrogen to an electrochemical separator and applying a potential to the electrochemical separator to separate the hydrogen forming a hydrogen recycle stream from the recovered metal hydroxide forming a metal hydroxide recycle stream; and directing the separated carbon dioxide stream to a gas liquid separator and separating the separated carbon dioxide stream into a recycled water stream and a concentrated carbon dioxide stream.

Abstract: An electrochemical hydrogen isotope recycling apparatus for recycling an isotope of hydrogen includes an electrochemical recycling unit, the unit comprising: an anode; a cathode; and an isotope-treated, proton exchange membrane operatively disposed between the anode and cathode, the isotope-treated, proton exchange membrane having heavy water containing the isotope of hydrogen therein, the device configured to receive a feedstream containing the isotope of hydrogen. A process by which high purity hydrogen isotope products are produced using an electrochemical membrane process in which all conventional water containing components are pre-processed using a heavy water containing the isotope of hydrogen.

Abstract: A rotary phase separator system generally includes a step-shaped rotary drum separator (RDS) and a motor assembly. The aspect ratio of the stepped drum minimizes power for both the accumulating and pumping functions. The accumulator section of the RDS has a relatively small diameter to minimize power losses within an axial length to define significant volume for accumulation. The pumping section of the RDS has a larger diameter to increase pumping head but has a shorter axial length to minimize power losses. The motor assembly drives the RDS at a low speed for separating and accumulating and a higher speed for pumping.

Abstract: A rotary phase separator system generally includes a step-shaped rotary drum separator (RDS) and a motor assembly. The aspect ratio of the stepped drum minimizes power for both the accumulating and pumping functions. The accumulator section of the RDS has a relatively small diameter to minimize power losses within an axial length to define significant volume for accumulation. The pumping section of the RDS has a larger diameter to increase pumping head but has a shorter axial length to minimize power losses. The motor assembly drives the RDS at a low speed for separating and accumulating and a higher speed for pumping.

Abstract: Water vapor is removed from a mixture of air, metabolic carbon dioxide (CO2), and water vapor prior to removing the CO2 from the mixture. The water vapor-containing mixture is passed through a membrane module which is operative to separate the water vapor from the air and CO2 mixture. The water vapor in the entering mixture will pass in one direction through the membrane in the module from an entry side of the membrane to an exit side of the membrane. The membrane divides the module into two chambers, one of which receives the water vapor-containing mixture, and the other of which receives CO2-free air from a CO2 adsorbant station. The water vapor-containing mixture is removed from a closed habitable environment such as a space station, a space suit, a submarine, or the like, and is moved through the membrane module where the water vapor is removed from the gas stream.

Abstract: A high capacity carbon dioxide (CO2) separation membrane is operative to separate CO2 from oxygen in a closed habitable environment, such as a space suit or a space station. The membrane is a porous hydrophilic material which is impregnated with a solution of a low vapor pressure hygroscopic solvent containing an alkali metal carbonate solute. The solution is relatively impermeable to oxygen whereby minimal amounts of oxygen will pass through the membrane. The driving force used to cause the carbon dioxide to diffuse through the membrane can be the low pressure or vacuum of space on the exit side of the membrane, or can be the result of a positive pressure sweep gas stream flowing by the membrane over a side thereof opposite to the habitable environment. The partial pressure of carbon dioxide on the entry side of the membrane is significantly higher that the partial pressure of carbon dioxide on the exit side of the membrane.