Difference between revisions of "Hydrocarbon synthesis"

From Marspedia
Jump to: navigation, search
(added methods)
(10 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
'''Hydrocarbon Synthesis''' is the generation of hydrocarbon [[molecule|molecules]] from other molecules containing [[hydrogen]] and [[carbon]].
+
'''Hydrocarbon Synthesis''' is the generation of [[hydrocarbons|hydrocarbon]] [[molecule|molecules]] from other molecules containing [[hydrogen]] and [[carbon]].  On Mars production will start with [[In-situ resource utilization|In situ resources]] utilization.
  
== Methods ==
+
==Methods==
  
  
 
===Natural Synthesis===
 
===Natural Synthesis===
  
Some [[bacteria]] and [[algae] naturally produce hydrocarbons such as [[methane]]. [[Biotechnology|Bioengineered]] [[microbes]] could be used in an industrial scale.
+
Some [[bacteria]] and [[algae]] naturally produce hydrocarbons such as [[methane]]. [[Biotechnology|Bioengineered]] [[microbes]] could be used in an industrial scale.  All living organisms use hydrocarbons for energy storage and the elaboration of living tissues.  biomass is the portion of hydrocarbons that cannot be used as food.
 +
 
 +
[[Algae]], bacteria and plants also produce complex hydrocarbons in the form of oils and fats for energy storage.
  
 
===Artificial Synthesis===
 
===Artificial Synthesis===
The building blocks of hydrocarbons, [[Hydrogen]] and [[Carbon]], are readily available on Mars. [[Carbon Dioxide]] is the major component of the atmosphere. [[Water]] from the surface of Mars can be split through [[electrolysis]]. These building blocks are assembled through various chemical reactions.
+
The building blocks of hydrocarbons, [[Hydrogen]] and [[Carbon]], are readily available on Mars. [[Carbon dioxide|Carbon Dioxide]] is the major component of the atmosphere. [[Water]] from the surface of Mars can be split through [[electrolysis]]. These building blocks are assembled through various chemical reactions.
  
====Sabatier Reaction====
+
====[[Sabatier/Water Electrolysis Process|Sabatier Reaction]]====
 
Production of methane is possible via the Sabatier reaction:
 
Production of methane is possible via the Sabatier reaction:
  
CO2 + 4H2    CH4 + 2H2O
+
:CO<sub>2</sub> + 4H<sub>2</sub> &nbsp; &nbsp; CH<sub>4</sub> + 2H<sub>2</sub>O
  
 
The forward reaction takes place in the presence of high temperatures and pressures, with a [[catalyst]]. Catalysts of [[nickel]], [[ruthenium]], or [[alumina]] can be used.
 
The forward reaction takes place in the presence of high temperatures and pressures, with a [[catalyst]]. Catalysts of [[nickel]], [[ruthenium]], or [[alumina]] can be used.
  
{{Stub}}
+
====[[Reverse Water-Gas Shift Reaction]]====
 +
[[Carbon monoxide]] can be produced via the Reverse Water-Gas Shift Reaction:
 +
 
 +
:CO<sub>2</sub> + H<sub>2</sub> → CO + H<sub>2</sub>O (deltaH = +9 kcal/mole)
 +
 
 +
The [[catalyst]] for this reaction is [[silica]] with 5% [[copper]] and a small amount of [[nickel]].
 +
 
 +
====[[Fischer-Tropsch reaction|Fischer-Tropsch Reaction]]====
 +
The Fischer-Tropsch reaction converts hydrogen and carbon monoxide into various hydrocarbons.
 +
 
 +
:(2n+1)[[hydrogen|H<sub>2</sub>]] + n[[carbon monoxide|CO]] → C<sub>n</sub>H<sub>(2n+2)</sub> + n[[water|H<sub>2</sub>O]]
 +
 
 +
'n' is any positive number.
 +
 
 +
Catalysts for this reaction include [[iron]], [[cobalt]], [[ruthenium]], and [[nickel]].
 +
 
 +
The reaction can produce C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub> [[Ethylene]], than serves as a precursor for [[polyethylene]].
 +
 
 +
[[Category:In-situ Resource Utilization]]

Revision as of 08:58, 27 November 2020

Hydrocarbon Synthesis is the generation of hydrocarbon molecules from other molecules containing hydrogen and carbon. On Mars production will start with In situ resources utilization.

Methods

Natural Synthesis

Some bacteria and algae naturally produce hydrocarbons such as methane. Bioengineered microbes could be used in an industrial scale. All living organisms use hydrocarbons for energy storage and the elaboration of living tissues. biomass is the portion of hydrocarbons that cannot be used as food.

Algae, bacteria and plants also produce complex hydrocarbons in the form of oils and fats for energy storage.

Artificial Synthesis

The building blocks of hydrocarbons, Hydrogen and Carbon, are readily available on Mars. Carbon Dioxide is the major component of the atmosphere. Water from the surface of Mars can be split through electrolysis. These building blocks are assembled through various chemical reactions.

Sabatier Reaction

Production of methane is possible via the Sabatier reaction:

CO2 + 4H2   ↔   CH4 + 2H2O

The forward reaction takes place in the presence of high temperatures and pressures, with a catalyst. Catalysts of nickel, ruthenium, or alumina can be used.

Reverse Water-Gas Shift Reaction

Carbon monoxide can be produced via the Reverse Water-Gas Shift Reaction:

CO2 + H2 → CO + H2O (deltaH = +9 kcal/mole)

The catalyst for this reaction is silica with 5% copper and a small amount of nickel.

Fischer-Tropsch Reaction

The Fischer-Tropsch reaction converts hydrogen and carbon monoxide into various hydrocarbons.

(2n+1)H2 + nCO → CnH(2n+2) + nH2O

'n' is any positive number.

Catalysts for this reaction include iron, cobalt, ruthenium, and nickel.

The reaction can produce C2H4 Ethylene, than serves as a precursor for polyethylene.