Environmental Control of Spacecraft Cabin Atmosphere using New Non-Toxic, Non-Flammable,
Low Freezing-Point Heat Exchanger Fluids

For this research project, Mainstream engineers addressed the development of non-toxic, non-flammable, low freezing point heat exchanger fluids needed for the environmental control of spacecraft cabin atmosphere. Our objective was to demonstrate the freeze/thaw properties and fault tolerance of a water pump loop using an environmentally friendly, non-toxic, drop-in replacement heat exchange fluid.

Mainstream's unique patent-pending formulations are comprised of non-flammable, non-explosive, non-toxic, and non-corrosive compounds that will not expand upon freezing to diminish the chances that a heat exchanger will rupture. The fluid formulations also have a much lower freezing point than water, which can broaden the temperature operating range of the heat exchanger. This work has also demonstrated that the proposed fluids represent a cost-effective solution since no thermal control loop hardware changes are required.