INVESTIGATION OF THE USE OF BIOCHEMICALS IN TECHNIQUES OF CO2 SEPARATION AND CONCENTRATION IN AEROSPACE VEHICLE ATMOSPHERE REGENERATION PROCESSES.
Abstract
In a laboratory program, the feasibility of enzymatic reactions for CO2 management in space capsule atmosphere control systems was investigated. Aqueous solutions of carbonic anhydrase and 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol efficiently absorb CO2 at room temperature, from air containing 1% CO2 by volume. The solutions are regenerable by vacuum and by heating to 30 C. The absorption was studied in closed and open systems, under static and dynamic conditions. The regenerations were conducted under dynamic conditions, in continuous operation. It was demonstrated that the pyruvate carboxylase-malate dehydrogenase-malate enzyme system absorbs and desorbs CO2 at low partial pressures from the atmosphere, under static conditions. For these experiments the enzyme, pyruvate carboxylase, was prepared from animal tissues. A laboratory method was developed for reversible pH control in dilute Tris buffers and quinhydrone solutions by electrochemical processes, and the enzymatic activity of electrolytically reduced DPNH was investigated. The evidence is presented that enzymatic reactions can be controlled electrochemically through these systems. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0463023
Entities
People
- George Graf