Accession Number:

AD0483685

Title:

REGENERATIVE CONTROL OF CO2 IN AIR BY CARBONIC ANHYDRASE.

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. 1 May 65-1 Apr 66,

Corporate Author:

YOUNGSTOWN UNIV OH DEPT OF CHEMISTRY

Personal Author(s):

• Graf, George

Report Date:

1966-05-01

Pagination or Media Count:

168.0

Abstract:

Previous studies in this laboratory proved the feasibility of enzymatically controlled CO2 removal from closed space capsule atmospheres by carbonic anhydrase in Tris solutions. In a follow-up program equilibrium data, capacity data, and mass-transfer coefficients were obtained for CO2 absorption enhanced twenty to thirty fold, to establish the technological feasibility of the process. The equilibrium concentration of 2.0 M Tris solutions with 1 carbonic anhydrase is 0.17 - 0.20 moles CO2 per mole Tris at 7.6 partial pressure of CO2 and at 10 C. The rate of desorption at 40 C and at reduced CO2 pressure is approximately twice as fast as the rate of absorption. Mass-transfer characteristics under dynamic conditions were obtained by the standard-disc method. At a gasliquid ratio 401 and in nonturbulent liquid flow more than 60 CO2 removal was maintained for several hours. Based on these results, scale-up to man-sized system is possible. It is estimated that this system is competitive with the presently suggested more complex CO2 management subsystems. It has the flexibility of either a cycling or a continuous recycling operation, with high degree of safety and reliability, and minimum expenditure of energy. Author

Descriptors:

• *CARBONIC ANHYDRASE
• *CARBON DIOXIDE
• FEASIBILITY STUDIES
• SAFETY
• REGENERATION(ENGINEERING)
• CONTROL
• EQUILIBRIUM(PHYSIOLOGY)
• CATALYSIS
• ENZYMES
• BIOCHEMISTRY
• CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERES
• BUFFERS
• SOLUTIONS(MIXTURES)
• SPACECRAFT CABINS
• LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS
• PERFORMANCE(ENGINEERING)

Subject Categories:

• Biochemistry
• Life Support Systems

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE