Gender in Science and Technology

Abstract

In order to provide a safe and sustainable astronaut crew environment at a lunar or extraterrestrial outpost, dust mitigation techniques appropriate for the crew vehicle or space environment must be developed. Cyclonic separation is an attractive method because of equipment durability and maintainability. Further dust mitigation studies are required to optimize cyclone separator performance under the reduced air pressures anticipated in crew habitat and air-lock environments. In this paper we examine the collection efficiency of several cyclonic separators under ambient and reduced pressures. Performance testing of a commercial cyclone separator is used as a baseline for comparison with a custom-designed cyclone. Details of the experimental test system along with the design, performance, fabrication, and implementation of a custom cyclone separator are examined. We also describe the customization and implementation of specialized optical diagnostic instrumentation providing particle size, count, and flow data. Test results are compared with cyclone computational flow dynamic modeling to evaluate model parameters and optimize collection efficiency under anticipated flow conditions. ? 2010 by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc.