Project Title:
Novel Design for Lunar-Magma Electrolysis Cell
04.23-8899
910187
Novel Design for Lunar-Magma Electrolysis Cell
Carbotek, Inc.
16223 Park Row, Suite 100
Houston
TX
77084
Michael A.
Gibson
713-578-8899
JSC
NAS9-18685
076
04.23-8899
910187
Abstract:
Novel Design for Lunar-Magma Electrolysis Cell
The firm will develop a new configuration for an electrolytic cell to produce oxygen
and metal by-products from lunar soil. This design uses ideas adapted from industrial
experience in alumina electrolysis, coal gasification, and ferrosilicon alloy production.
The design addresses most of the severe operability issues raised by such a cell.
These include melt containment, low-melt conductivity, anode-gas blanketing, control
of levels and temperature, and the continuous removal of waste heat and molten, corrosive
by-products. The new cell design features are coolant passages in the refractory
walls to provide a thin, frozen layer protecting removal; platinum screen anodes
tilted slightly from the horizontal to promote oxygen bubble removal while still
minimizing anode-cathode distances; local heating/cooling at the molten spent magma
taphole to regulate outflow rates by local temperature/viscosity control rather than
valves; a sliding refractory gate valve for molten ferrosilicon layer level control.
Phase I will identify the power/volume needs of the new cell and will complete the
design of a benchscale experimental cell for testing in Phase II.
Materials and techniques found successful in a magma electrolysis cell may be applied
in alumina electrolysis, refractory manufacture, metals processing, and other processes
requiring corrosive, high-temperature conditions.
lunar oxygen, magma electrolysis, refractory selection