Molten-Carbonate Electrolyzers for Making CO and O2
TBMG-7493
11/01/2001
- Content
Electrochemical cells in which molten carbonates would serve as electrolytes have been proposed for use in electrolyzing CO2. The proposal was made in an effort to implement a concept of in situ resource utilization (ISRU) for the exploration of Mars; the basic idea is to generate CO (if needed as a fuel) and O2 (for oxidizing fuel and/or for breathing) by electrolysis of CO2 from the Martian atmosphere. On Earth, molten-carbonate electrolyzers could be used to make breathable O2 for medical use, pure O2 for oxidizing surfaces of semiconductor chips, and CO as a feedstock for synthesis of alcohols and hydrocarbons. In both terrestrial and spacecraft life-support systems, the electrolyzers could be used to regenerate breathable O2 from CO2.
- Citation
- "Molten-Carbonate Electrolyzers for Making CO and O2," Mobility Engineering, November 1, 2001.