The Development of the Vapor Phase Catalytic Ammonia Removal (VPCAR) Engineering Development Unit

Abstract

<div class="htmlview paragraph">This paper presents the results of a program to develop the next generation Vapor Phase Catalytic Ammonia Removal (VPCAR) system. VPCAR is a spacecraft water recycling system designed by NASA and constructed by Water Reuse Technology Inc. The technology has been identified by NASA to be the next generation water recycling system [<span class="xref">1</span>]. It is designed specifically for a Mars transit vehicle mission.</div> <div class="htmlview paragraph">This paper provides a description of the process and an evaluation of the performance of the new system. The equivalent system mass (ESM) is calculated and compared to the existing state-of-the art. A description of the contracting mechanism used to construct the new system is also provided.</div>