HyperKat Support and Tester Forum

Mars Challenger V1.0 => MCO Early Discussions => Topic started by: Marco2001 on July 18, 2010, 04:35:30 PM

Title: WAVAR - idea
Post by: Marco2001 on July 18, 2010, 04:35:30 PM

WAVAR
 WATER VAPOR ADSORPTION REACTOR FOR MARS INSITU RESOURCE UTILIZATION.


(http://ralph.open-aerospace.org/solar/ares/report/fig5.jpg)

"Water is present on Mars as ice in the
polar caps, adsorbed in the regolith, and possibly
in subsurface deposits, but the atmosphere of
Mars is the most highly characterized and
globally distributed water source on the planet.
The desire to utilize this atmospheric water led to
the development of the Water Vapor Adsorption
Reactor (WAVAR).

(http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/2505/wavar.jpg)

WAVAR is conceptually very simple.
Martian atmosphere
is brought into the system through a filter by an
axial-flow fan. The filtered atmosphere is passed
over the adsorbent bed where the water vapor is
removed from the flow by the zeolite 3A
molecular sieve. The disk-shaped bed is divided
into sectors by insulative separators. Once a
sector has reached saturation, it is rotated into a
chamber and sealed off from the outside. A
microwave emitter is engaged, heating the
adsorbent bed sector and driving off the water
vapor. The desorbed water vapor is condensed
and piped to storage, where it is available for
utilization by a S/E propellant production plant
or for use by a manned Mars base.

The Water Vapor Adsorption Reactor is
an energy efficient method of extracting water
from the Martian atmosphere.
For the assumed conditions,
(253K, 800 Pa, 0.06% humidity) 2
WAVAR uses 4.9 kW-hr for every kilogram of
water it extracts. In comparison, an optimized
compression-refrigeration cycle operating under
the same conditions requires 70 kW-hr per
kilogram water."


You can read about WAVAR here ---> http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/isru97/PDF/COONS.PDF (http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/isru97/PDF/COONS.PDF)
                                      and here ---> http://ralph.open-aerospace.org/solar/ares/report/sumrep.htm (http://ralph.open-aerospace.org/solar/ares/report/sumrep.htm)
Title: Re: WAVAR - idea
Post by: profit004 on July 18, 2010, 05:40:59 PM
The energy use is exceptionally rosy, almost to the point where I disbelieve it is feasible to reach that low of energy extraction cost, but it does seem highly likely something like this would be used.

I am also extremely concerned with it's reliability....   Solar panels would really honestly only need to be dusted on mars every year... But this filter in order to process millions of cubic meters of martian atmosphere.....  I just do not see a way to enable it to remain in working order without constant replacement.


Title: Re: WAVAR - idea
Post by: Marco2001 on July 18, 2010, 06:29:57 PM
Player could clean the filter, just like the CO2 scrub in the COHAB or PV Panels outside.
If not cleaned the efficiency would drop down (fully cleaned filter = 100% efficiency, totaly dirty and full filter = 0% efficiency).

Mars WAVAR prototype was constructed in 1997. Since then, technology moved-on.
Title: Re: WAVAR - idea
Post by: profit004 on July 18, 2010, 06:54:28 PM
Quote from: Marco2001 on July 18, 2010, 06:29:57 PM
Player could clean the filter, just like the CO2 scrub in the COHAB or PV Panels outside.
If not cleaned the efficiency would drop down (fully cleaned filter = 100% efficiency, totaly dirty and full filter = 0% efficiency).

Mars WAVAR prototype was constructed in 1997. Since then, technology moved-on.

That's the problem the filter would need to be replaced very regularly, they could not be cleaned.  Filters would be a kinda bulky item and the types of filters needed would need to be in the 0.001-1 Micrometer range  That's just an incredibly small tolerance in filters. Most air filters do not need that fine of tolerance but I am thinking in order to keep this machine running when you are dealing with molecular sieves you cannot let any dust in there.
Title: Re: WAVAR - idea
Post by: Marco2001 on July 18, 2010, 07:19:39 PM
I think your over-reacting :D
I mean....I know the Martian dust is hell to any equipement but engeneers have been testing WAVAW for over 13 years now in Martian conditions, and it works without problem. Basicly - if the problem is located in the filter....just invent a filter that will work perfectly under those conditions - thats how scientists think.
Similar equipement works for years on Earth deserts without maintance. Morover - MCO takes place years from now-on, so this technology will be improved greatly.
Zubrin typed WAVAR as one of the critical components needed for Mars-direct mission.

Also see this (Earth WAVAR on deserts): http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090605091856.htm (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090605091856.htm)
                                          And this: http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2006/10/71898 (http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2006/10/71898)

(http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/2009/06/090605091856.jpg)
Title: Re: WAVAR - idea
Post by: profit004 on July 19, 2010, 12:15:31 AM
Hmm.. Well I actually bothered to look at their test model and they did come up with a novel filter approach, it looks like electrostatic attraction bags and high pressure nozzles for automatic cleaning.   Interesting.

Alright... I will sign off on this technology as martian possible.

Title: Re: WAVAR - idea
Post by: Hyper on July 21, 2010, 11:12:29 PM
Any real technology that could be implemented by the time we get to Mars I would like to add in to the game. This looks like a good tech, I will see about implementation.... Good job..
Title: Re: WAVAR - idea
Post by: Marco2001 on July 22, 2010, 04:09:43 AM
Huray! New equipement! :D
Title: Re: WAVAR - idea
Post by: thedubman on July 22, 2010, 02:04:14 PM
Agree, nice tech :)