Thermal energy storage in metal-organic framework materials for climate control of Martian buildings

Master thesis (2023)

Authors

P. Madabhushi Aerospace Engineering

Contributors

S.R. Turteltaub Aerospace Structures & Computational Mechanics - Aerospace Engineering (mentor)
Faculty
Aerospace Engineering, Aerospace Engineering
Copyright: © 2023 Pranav Madabhushi
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Published Date

31-01-2023

Language

English

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Faculty

Aerospace Engineering

Abstract

To survive on the surface of a near atmosphere-less Mars, humans must be able to provide thermal energy to buildings to sustain temperature changes from -73°C to 20°C. The goal of the thesis is to create a passively-working thermal battery using materials currently available to humans; it must be the sole heat source to the Martian buildings. Metal-organic framework materials adsorb CO2 in a reversible exothermic chemical reaction, thereby providing heat to the buildings.
 
A model was made in ABAQUS to simulate the adsorption mechanism; two parallel coupled simulations were run in a staggered approach, heat conduction and mass diffusion, to simulate chemical reaction.
 
The model was then used, with the chosen materials, to simulate several geometry permutations of Martian buildings, the common denominator being the square area of the liveable space and walls. The material was able to provide a significant portion of the required heat and saved up to 97% power otherwise demanded from conventional energy sources.