Description: NASA can effect major benefits to mankind by assisting in the adaptation of advanced life support technology to terrestrial applications. Among the most economically potent spinoff candidates are heterogeneous catalysts. Applied to US manufacturing, Porous Solid Carbon catalyst materials under development for long-duration space missions can provide scalable Return-on-Investment. The global market for catalytically-produced goods is >$3T/yr; demand for catalysts is currently 6.9M metric tons (US$27B) and projected to grow to 9M metric tons (US$34.3B) by 2024. Improved catalysts enable domestic manufacturers to compete globally-- “drop-in” technologies such as the advanced catalysts here-in can be used within existing plant infrastructure to achieve advantages of better process economics, lower reaction temperatures, longer operational life, and decreased emissions/wastes, helping to counteract serious Balance-of-Payment inequities that currently exist. Two target applications are being addressed- Hydrodesulfurization of Petroleum Feedstocks to make cleaner-burning fuels, and Purification of Terephthalic Acid used to produce polyester fibers and beverage containers. Differentiating factors of PSC include acid-compatibility, higher activities & coking resistance compared to alumina, and massively superior physical strength & attrition resistance compared to traditional activated carbons. The project consists of the design and construction of a pilot-scale, 1,000 lb/batch system for manufacturing the PSC in engineered shapes (1/8” pellets and tri-lobes) preferred for industrial processes, extensive characterization of the materials, and applications testing at customer facilities. A world-class project team has been assembled and is being backed by strong industry support, investment and M&A advisory expertise. Expected outcomes are two major industrial market penetrations and another catalyst for life support & in situ resource utilization in NASA deep space missions.

Benefits: Crew Health and Safety in Long-Duration Missions -ISS Water Recovery System -L2, Lunar & Mars Platforms

Hydrodesulfurization Clean Technology for Polymer Production Conversion of Natural Gas-to-Liquid Fuels & Feedstocks Addressable Market >$2B for this NASA-funded technology