Electrolytic Production of Oxygen from Lunar Resources

Rudolf Keller

Oxygen is a valuable commodity in space. Substantial savings have been projected for future missions if oxygen could be produced on the moon from local resources. Some of the most promising approaches to extract oxygen from lunar resources involve electrochemical oxygen generation. In a straight-forward concept called "magma electrolysis", suitable oxides (silicates) are molten at 1300-1500 °C and the melt electrolyzed. Residual melt can be discarded after partial electrolysis. Alternatively, lunar soil may be dissolved in a molten salt and electrolyzed. In this approach, temperatures are lower and melt conductances higher, but electrolyte constituents need to be preserved. Both possibilities are being studied in the laboratory. In a different approach, ilmenite is reduced by hydrogen and the resulting water electrolyzed (Carbotek Process TM). Although know-how from terrestrial technology can be applied, the process task is unconventional and requires many innovative solutions. Time and effort needed for successful development should not be underestimated.

Document ID

19910023236

Acquisition Source

Glenn Research Center

Document Type

Conference Paper

Authors

Date Acquired

September 6, 2013

Publication Date

September 1, 1991

Publication Information

Publication: Journal of Power Sources: Proceedings of the Third Space Electrochemical Research and Technology Conference

Publisher: Elsevier

Volume: 36

Issue: 3

Issue Publication Date: December 1, 1991

ISSN: 0378-7753

e-ISSN: 1873-2755

Subject Category

Meeting Information

Meeting: 3rd Space Electrochemical Research and Technology (SERT) Conference

Location: Cleveland, OH

Country: US

Start Date: April 9, 1991

End Date: April 10, 1991

Sponsors: Lewis Research Center

Accession Number

91N32550

Distribution Limits

Public

Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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