Search

The COSM employs NASA's Cryogenic Flux Capacitor core to store liquid oxygen (at 90 K) in silica aerogel material at ambient pressure, and then discharges cold oxygen gas into an in-line flow loop in response to heat input. If the composition of the incoming effluent stream contains gases with condensation or freezing points above the 90 K oxygen storage temperature--such as carbon dioxide or water vapor--these gasses can be removed from the stream as it moves through the COSM. The current COSM is sized to be wearable on the person but can be easily scaled to much larger sizes and various geometries. COSM is designed with a long "cold path" which provides for greater residence times which increase the probability that condensable/freezable gases will be trapped in the COSM. Also, the longer the cold path, the longer the time a COSM can be used prior to the oxygen being depleted and the scrubbed gasses liberated. Two COSM geometries have been designed, built, and tested-a round spiral and a prismatic serpentine--to achieve long cold paths, and intrinsic vapor cooling to manage heat loads.