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As part of the JOULE programme, the European Commission has supported two projects for the development of an on-board methanol reformer and gas clean-up systems for a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) electric vehicle. The first, called MERCATOX, was for the development of an integrated methanol reformer and carbon monoxide selective oxidation system. The design of this integrated unit uses reforming, combustion and selective oxidation catalysts coated onto aluminium substrates. The second project, called COCLUP/HYSEP, was for the development and evaluation of a metal membrane unit for hydrogen separation from reformate produced by an on-board methanol reformer.

This paper describes a methanol-steam reforming test in which the reactant gas was caused to condense on the catalyst bed by limiting the heat input to the bed such that the endothermic heat of reaction decreased the temperature to below the dew point The catalyst bed never reached expected conversion rates throughout the test. Samples of the spent catalyst bed were characterized using NAA, TGA, XRD, BET surface area and copper surface area. The characterization revealed how the condensation of the reactants on the bed caused irreversible catalyst deactivation and loss in reformer performance.

Hydrophobic molecular sieves have been identified as of potential interest for the adsorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere of a man-inhabited spacecraft. A study was thus initiated in order to evaluate the applicability and competitiveness of the hydrophobic molecular sieves - including, notably, activated carbon, Silicalite-I, Deca-dodecasil, and Zeolite-Y - for this utilisation. The first phase of this study was performed in three steps: a material review of the scientific community and commercially available materials, test of samples under representative conditions, and finally, the development of a breadboard design. Based on the results of these tasks, two coconut-based activated carbon materials are felt to be potentially competitive with the currently planned solid amine and have additionally a variety of other advantages for a space application.

CJB Developments Limited, (CJBD) assisted by a number of distinguished consultants, undertook a study on behalf of the European Space Agency (ESA) to identify Critical Technologies relating to Spacecraft Habitability. Critical Technologies in this context are those defined as requiring a solution in order that the objectives of the European Manned Space Infrastructure (EMSI) can be met. Habitability is defined as those design elements that provide the environmental comfort, quality and necessities to support a human being in space. As well as the elements necessary for survival, such as provision of food, water, oxygen and waste product removal, it encompasses medicine, hygiene, clothing, recreation and other aspects of human interaction, including physiological and psychological health, which go towards establishing a welcoming and tolerable environment.