Publication Date:
2019-06-28
Description:
An evaluation of the perceived feasibility of 20 different processs for the production of oxygen on the moon is presented. Many of them are largely untested and/or extremely complicated and difficult to implement. Simplicity, low energy, easily attainable feedstock, and resupply mass are the principal criteria for the processes that will ultimately be selected for the initial production of oxygen on the moon. An evaluation of the 20 processes resulted in a ranking according to overall feasibility. The eight processes considered to be the most likely candidates, at this time, for oxygen production on the moon are: ilmenite reduction of H2, CO2, and CH4; glass reduction with H2; molten silicate electrolysis; fluxed molten silicate electrolysis; vapor pyrolysis; and ion plasma pyrolysis.
Keywords:
GROUND SUPPORT SYSTEMS AND FACILITIES (SPACE)
Type:
In: Engineering, construction, and operations in space - III: Space '92; Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference, Denver, CO, May 31-June 4, 1992. Vol. 1 (A93-41976 17-12); p. 752-762.
Format:
text
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