ENGS 89/90 Reports

Year of Graduation

2024

Project Advisor

Laura Ray

Instructor

Solomon Diamond

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

2024

Abstract

The Integrated Cyclone/ESP is a novel air filtration technology developed to remove the entire respirable range of particles from human habitats in the lunar environment. Managing dust has been a major problem on past missions to the moon. Astronauts reported allergy-like symptoms and eye and lung irritation from frequent dust exposure. Moreover, the inhalation of fine particulate matter has been directly linked to long-term cardiovascular and respiratory disorders as well as strokes and premature death. NASA currently employs HEPA filters to purify air in human habitats. The HEPA filter is highly efficient, but requires frequent replacement of filters, which are expensive to transport to the moon and require allocated storage and recurring maintenance to install. With long-duration lunar stays planned to commence over the following decade, HEPA filter replacements are impractical. Therefore, an equally effective but low-consumables solution is imperative. To address this challenge, we integrated a two-stage electrostatic precipitator into a dust-collecting cyclone. The combination of these technologies allows efficient filtration over the respirable range of dust particles with zero recurring consumables. Our iterative design process relied on dimensional analysis to optimize parameters, crafting custom components using SolidWorks, integrating them into a modified reverse-flow cyclone, and conducting stringent testing with polluted air in a controlled testing apparatus. The resulting prototype offers a novel, highly effective filtration system for the lunar environment. Although this integrated lunar dust filtration device is not geared toward commercialization, its potential future availability could foster cost-effective cleaning and purification solutions across diverse contexts.

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