Sabatier/Water Electrolysis Process

The Sabatier reaction is used to convert Hydrogen shipped from Earth or processed from Martian water-ice and Carbon dioxide from the Martian atmosphere to create water and methane for use as a fuel, which can be converted to Hydrogen. This fuel will generate more thrust per unit mass than hydrogen.

CO₂ + 4H₂ → CH₄ + 2H₂O

The forward reaction takes place in the presence of high temperatures and pressures, in the presence of a nickel catalyst. Instead of nickel, a catalyst made out of ruthenium or alumina could be used.

See Also

• Hydrocarbon Synthesis
• Bosch process