A parametric sizing model for Molten Regolith Electrolysis reactors to produce oxygen on the Moon

Schreiner, Samuel S.; Sibille, Laurent; Domínguez, Jesús; Hoffman, Jeffrey A.

doi:10.1016/j.asr.2016.01.006

Cited by 20 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…'Yield' in this context is defined as weight of oxygen extracted divided by total weight of regolith processed. The carbothermal reduction of molten regolith at ~1600 °C (also requiring subsequent methanereforming and electrolysis steps; Rosenberg et al, 1992;Gustafson et al, 2006;Balasubramaniam, 2010;Sanders and Larson, 2012), and the direct electrolysis of molten regolith at >1600 °C Haskin, 1992, 1993;Vai et al 2010;Sirk 2010;Wang et al 2011;Schreiner 2016), are less feedstock-dependent and higher yielding (theoretically 10-20% and 20-30% respectively), but require the handling of molten regolith at extreme temperatures. Research has also been conducted into the use of molten fluoride salts as a flux to dissolve lunar regolith oxide simulants and related silicate rocks at 960 -1250 °C, and hence to extract a mixed alloy electrochemically; however, these processes rely on the solubility of the various oxides and the efficacy in terms of oxygen yield has not been quantified (Kesterke 1970;Liu et al 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Proving the viability of an electrochemical process for the simultaneous extraction of oxygen and production of metal alloys from lunar regolith

Lomax

Conti

Khan

et al. 2020

Planetary and Space Science

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The development of an efficient process to simultaneously extract oxygen and metals from lunar regolith by way of in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU) has the potential to enable sustainable activities beyond Earth. The Metalysis-FFC (Fray, Farthing, Chen) process has recently been proven for the industrial-scale production of metals and alloys, leading to the present investigation into the potential application of this process to regolith-like 2 materials. This paper provides a proof-of-concept for the electro-deoxidation of powdered solid-state lunar regolith simulant using an oxygen-evolving SnO2 anode, and constitutes the first in-depth study of regolith reduction by this process that fully characterises and quantifies both the anodic and cathodic products. Analysis of the resulting metallic powder shows that 96% of the total oxygen was successfully extracted to give a mixed metal alloy product. Approximately a third of the total oxygen in the sample was detected in the off-gas, with the remaining oxygen being lost to corrosion of the reactor vessel. We anticipate, with appropriate adjustments to the experimental setup and operating parameters, to be able to isolate essentially all of the oxygen from lunar regolith simulants using this process, leading to the exciting possibility of concomitant oxygen generation and metal alloy production on the lunar surface.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Proving the viability of an electrochemical process for the simultaneous extraction of oxygen and production of metal alloys from lunar regolith

Lomax

Conti

Khan

et al. 2020

Planetary and Space Science

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“…Molten salt electrolysis of lunar oxides to produce oxygen and useful metals/alloys is also being considered. [280][281][282][283] Moon could then be a forward base for refuelling and replenishing essential supplies. The extra-terrestrial production of oxygen from CO 2 in the Martian atmosphere, [284][285][286] the gas making up 95 % of the atmospheric pressure of about 600 Pa, and metals from Martian regolith [287][288][289] are crucial if missions to Mars and beyond are to be sustained.…”

Section: Electrochemistry In Spacementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Electrolysis of ice in the permanently shadowed regions of Moon and liquefaction to liquid oxygen and hydrogen is an option. Molten salt electrolysis of lunar oxides to produce oxygen and useful metals/alloys is also being considered [280–283] . Moon could then be a forward base for refuelling and replenishing essential supplies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electrochemistry: Retrospect and Prospects

Shukla

Kumar

2020

Israel Journal of Chemistry

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Since the beginning of modern civilization, static electricity and later current electricity have been used to get to grips with many situations. The publication of Gilbert's De magnete in 1600 triggered a series of inventions such as Leyden jar (1745: von Kleist; van Musschenbrock) and torsion balance (1784: Charles Coulomb). Current electricity was discovered at the end of the eighteenth century. Humphry Davy's remarkable prescience that electricity could overcome the normal ‘chemical affinity’ that holds elements together was a gamechanger, ushering in an explosion of electrochemical science. Today, electrochemistry has transformed human life in ways unimaginable only decades ago. This article is an effort to reflect upon the role of electrochemistry in our search for solutions to everyday problems and its continuing forays into areas spanning the mundane to outer space.

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“…ISRU will ensure the sustainability and energy efficiency of space exploration, reduce the cost of delivery from Earth, and minimize mission risks. Among the topics of current ISRU research are producing metals and construction materials by transforming local regolith and rocks [9,10], harvesting oxygen and hydrogen from minerals and water [10,11], and growing plants [12,13]. In this sense, the development of structurally sound composite materials with superior properties that can benefit from ISRU is crucial for preparing missions to the Moon.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling Radiation Damage in Materials Relevant for Exploration and Settlement on the Moon

Koval¹,

Gu²,

Muñoz‐Santiburcio³

et al. 2022

Lunar Science - Habitat and Humans

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Understanding the effect of radiation on materials is fundamental for space exploration. Energetic charged particles impacting materials create electronic excitations, atomic displacements, and nuclear fragmentation. Monte Carlo particle transport simulations are the most common approach for modeling radiation damage in materials. However, radiation damage is a multiscale problem, both in time and in length, an aspect treated by the Monte Carlo simulations only to a limited extent. In this chapter, after introducing the Monte Carlo particle transport method, we present a multiscale approach to study different stages of radiation damage which allows for the synergy between the electronic and nuclear effects induced in materials. We focus on cumulative displacement effects induced by radiation below the regime of hadronic interactions. We then discuss selected studies of radiation damage in materials of importance and potential use for the exploration and settlement on the Moon, ranging from semiconductors to alloys and from polymers to the natural regolith. Additionally, we overview some of the novel materials with outstanding properties, such as low weight, increased radiation resistance, and self-healing capabilities with a potential to reduce mission costs and improve prospects for extended human exploration of extraterrestrial bodies.

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A parametric sizing model for Molten Regolith Electrolysis reactors to produce oxygen on the Moon

Cited by 20 publications

References 19 publications

Proving the viability of an electrochemical process for the simultaneous extraction of oxygen and production of metal alloys from lunar regolith

Proving the viability of an electrochemical process for the simultaneous extraction of oxygen and production of metal alloys from lunar regolith

Electrochemistry: Retrospect and Prospects

Modeling Radiation Damage in Materials Relevant for Exploration and Settlement on the Moon

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