A Cabin CO2 Adsorption System for a Novel Medium-range Aircraft Concept

Abstract

Within the ATLAs project, a concept study of a medium-range aircraft was carried out. For this purpose a technology for active management of CO2 concentration in cabin air was investigated and evaluated for integration into the aircraft. Different adsorbents such as chitosan aerogels and zeolites were investigated in terms of specific adsorption capacity and density to realize the CO2 management system. Chitosan aerogels offer primary amine groups on surfaces of their nanofibrillated structure. Amine groups are known to selectively and reversibly react with CO2 via several mechanisms. Therefore chitosan aerogels were investigated as a mesoporous adsorbent made from a renewable resource. As reference material the well investigated zeolite 13X in bead form was chosen. Based on the results and insights gained, a possible system for integration into the concept of a medium-range aircraft will be presented.