Form 9.B Project Summary
Chron: 972621
Proposal Number: 10.04-6629A
Project Title: The Manufacture of Ethylene and Other Useful Products in Life Support Systems for Manned Spacecraft and Planetary Bases
Technical Abstract (Limit 200 words)
Our program is based on these premises: (1) Ethylene and other useful products, e.g., polyethylene and ethanol, can be manufactured from metabolic wastes, e.g., carbon dioxide and water, as an adjunct to Life Support Systems (LSS) required in manned spacecraft and planetary bases, e.g., Moon and Mars; (2) These products are best manufactured using inorganic processes based on chemical engineering principles, and (3) These processes make use of the major components of metabolic waste, carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Our program satisfies the requirements of Subtopic 10.04 Spacecraft Life Support Infrastructure:
"Advanced life support systems are essential for the success of future human planetary exploration." It focuses on (1) Direct Catalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide and (2) Catalytic Reforming of Methane to produce Ethylene in conversions greater than 95%. Benefits are: (1) The conversion of metabolic wastes to useful products, including potential foodstuffs, (2) Weight savings which may result from reduced on-board foodstuff requirements; (3) Manufacture of useful products based on engineering principles, not life processes, e.g., plants, and (4) reduced resupply from Earth.
Potential Commercial Applications (Limit 200 words)
Conversion of carbon oxides to hydrocarbons and carbohydrates using catalytic processes shall have very important commercial benefits in the future as carbon-based fuels, i.e., petroleum and natural gas, are exhausted. The use of low-grade coals to synthesize such products as methane and ethanol will form the basis for a new, important chemical process industry in the United States which has vast coal reserves.
Name and Address of Principal Investigator (Name,
Organization Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip)
Sanders D. Rosenberg
IN-SPACE PROPULSION
628 COMMONS DRIVE
SACRAMENTO , CA 95825
Name and Address of Offeror (Firm Name, Mail Address,
City/State/Zip)
Sanders D. Rosenberg
IN-SPACE PROPULSION
628 COMMONS DRIVE
SACRAMENTO , CA 95825