NASA · Space

NASA Mars Tech Brews Beer and More

Technology originally developed for NASA's Mars missions is now being used on Earth to capture and purify carbon dioxide, aiding industries from brewing to energy.

A shortage of carbon dioxide in 2021 prompted Maine Beer Company to seek solutions, leading them to technology derived from NASA's Mars resource-harvesting plans. Pioneer Astronautics, funded by NASA's Small Business Innovation Research program, developed compact and efficient systems in the 1990s to capture Martian atmospheric CO2 and combine it with hydrogen for water and methane production.

Pioneer Energy adapted this technology for the oil and gas industry, and founder Robert Zubrin realized its potential for breweries. The Craft Brewery Recovery System, developed by Pioneer, captured CO2 from the brewing process for carbonation. This system was later licensed to Earthly Labs, founded by Amy George in 2016.

Earthly Labs' small-scale carbon capture technology has gained traction due to ongoing carbon dioxide shortages and price volatility. The company has expanded its applications beyond breweries to wineries and distilleries.

The technology is also finding use in the energy sector, where companies can capture and sell CO2 generated as a by-product. Additionally, it aids in helium production by separating helium from other gases like methane and carbon dioxide found in underground deposits.

In 2021, Earthly Labs was acquired by Chart Industries Inc., which specializes in cryogenic equipment and is scaling up the technology for applications such as power plants. This adaptation of space technology demonstrates its versatility and economic benefits on Earth.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.