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Development of a Sabatier Fuel Plant for a Martian Settlement

Development of a Sabatier Fuel Plant for a Martian Settlement. UBC Mars Colony University of British Columbia Engineering Design Team. Why Mars?. Stepping stone to the outer solar system: many resources and refueling capability

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Development of a Sabatier Fuel Plant for a Martian Settlement

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  1. Development of a Sabatier Fuel Plant for a Martian Settlement UBC Mars Colony University of British Columbia Engineering Design Team

  2. Why Mars? • Stepping stone to the outer solar system: many resources and refueling capability • Economic benefits of developing technology: Image sensors, precise GPS, new materials... • Solving challenges on Earth from a different perspective: CO2 conversion • Achieving reusability: steps towards living in a closed system environment • Inspiration to mankind: providing a bright future of being a multiplanetary species • Searching for the origins of Life • Promoting peaceful exploration and collaboration between countries

  3. About the Team • Founded by Kyle Marquis in fall 2016 • Presented Airlock paper at IAC 2018 in Bremen, Germany • Completed inaugural Airlock project in May 2019 • Hosted Project Airlock Competition for four universities across Canada in May 2019

  4. Team Philosophy • Contribute to technology that would help make living on Mars a reality • We don’t really participate in competitions since we take on different projects every phase! • Dedicated lead team, close-knit environment • Emphasis on communication, openness and taking initiative

  5. The Sabatier Reaction CO2 + H2→ CH4+H2O Design specifications • Temperature 350 - 450 °C • Pressure 1.0 to 1.2 atm • CO2 + H2→ CH4+H2O on Nickel Catalyst Our Experiment and basis of design • A few system test system of various complexity • full scale plant, test reactor, various catalyst , various catalyst support, • We choose to test day- and night-cycle catalyst durability to fill gap in literature

  6. Project Definition Project Deliverables: • Modular Sabatier reactor prototype (fabricated in-house) • Mission Architecture simulator: open-source, dynamic economic simulation modelling fuel plant operation

  7. Safety Training: Chemical Safety Course (All members) Controls: Fume Hood delineation Industry standard fittings Gas storage procedures Safe Work Procedures (SWPs)

  8. Mechanical Team Timeline Mechanical Team Test Reactor Build Subteam (Phase 1 - Fall 2019) Comprehensive Reactor Team (Phase 2 - Spring 2020) Comprehensive Reactor Design Subteam (for Phase 2 - Fall 2019)

  9. Mechanical Test Reactor Scope Test Reactor • Source materials and infrastructure • Create P&ID’s • Construct a mounting structure • Conduct HAZOP studies

  10. Scope of work for Comprehensive Reactor: Comprehensive Reactor Design Subteam • Research and define module requirements • Create a simulation for a single reactor (fluid and thermal) • Create 3D CAD models • Research materials Comprehensive Reactor Merged Team • Design For Manufacturing and Assembly • Detailed design • Build and construct module

  11. Mechanical Team Software Packages

  12. Rapid Prototyping Vent Gas Analysis Reactor Mixer Condenser Electrical Box Solenoid Valves MFCs

  13. Monitoring and Control Mass Flow Controllers Heating Tape Thermocouples Sensors and Data Reporting Arduinos and Raspberry Pi PID Control

  14. Example of Work Done: Heating Tape Experiment Briskheat Heating Tape (exposure temp. 760 deg. C) High Temp Insulation Thermocouple Array BANG-BANG Control

  15. Chemical Team • Scope of work: general chemical engineering /research to support other subteams • Preferably looking for 4th year (and above) chemical engineers/chemists or equivalent experience • Some examples of tasks you would take on: • FEA of heat transfer of (specific) reactor components; • Literature reviews • Plant simulation

  16. Phase II Two Big Themes: • Define scope of modularity • How do we connect multiple to make a fuel plant? Research: • Environmental factors (radiation, dust) • Mounting + assembly • Manufacturing & fabrication • Geometry

  17. Example: Pipe Flow • Experience in Software • ANSYS Fluent (2D and 3D) • Modelica (1D) • MATLAB Simscape Fluid (1D) • Familiarity with concepts/components • Parallel pipes • Pumps • Valves

  18. Mission Architecture: is it right for you? Are you: Proficient in Python? OR Are you willing to learn Python AND are: and/or Astrophysics/Aeronautic specialist? and/or GUI specialist? and/or Finance/economics specialist? and/or Ai, machine learning specialist?

  19. Support team - We need you! If you don’t have the time or requisite background for our technical team but would still like to contribute to our cause, the support team has a place for you!

  20. Still here? Interested? Apply here using the QR Codes: Contact Info: Email: ubcmarscolony@gmail.com Website: www.ubcmarscolony.ca Instagram: @ubcmarscolony Facebook: UBC Mars Colony Twitter: @UBC_Mars_Colony LinkedIn: UBC Mars Colony General Support

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