Air was purified by the molecular sieve system at a nominal flow rate of approximately 54.5 kg/hr (120 lb/hr). Air from a Condensing Heat Exchanger (CHX) outlet was drawn into the molecular sieve system and though a desiccant bed, which dehumidified the stream. The dry air was then cooled and forced into a CO2 removal bed where CO2 was stripped from the cool processed air. The CO2 depleted air was then directed to a desorption desiccant bed where it was rehumidified and returned to the CHX feed stream.
While CO2 was being adsorbed onto one bed, the other CO2 collection bed was being desorbed. One complete cycle of the 4BMS consisted of each CO2 sorbent bed going through an adsorb half-cycle and desorption half-cycle. The half-cycle time and profile were adjustable.
Experiment + Environmental Monitoring Air Quality (LMLSTP4.1)