Difference between revisions of "Sabatier/Water Electrolysis Process"

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[[File:Propellant production.png|thumb|600x600px|Schematic of Methane production system for a Single SpaceX Starship over a period of two years.Electrolysis and hydrogen storage are off the shelf.  Sabatier reactor needs to be developed.]]
 
The Sabatier reaction is used to convert [[Hydrogen]] shipped from [[Earth]] or [[electrolysis|processed]] from Martian [[water|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.
 
The Sabatier reaction is used to convert [[Hydrogen]] shipped from [[Earth]] or [[electrolysis|processed]] from Martian [[water|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.
  
:CO<sub>2</sub> + 4H<sub>2</sub> → CH<sub>4</sub> + 2H<sub>2</sub>O
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:CO<sub>2</sub> + 4H<sub>2</sub> → CH<sub>4</sub> + 2H<sub>2</sub>O   -165 kJ/mol
  
 
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.
 
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 ==
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The Sabatier process produces a ratio of 4:1 of oxygen to hydrogen, slightly more than the ratio used for propulsion 3.6, to 3.8:1.  Excess oxygen can be used for the colony atmosphere os stored for future use.
* [[Hydrocarbon synthesis|Hydrocarbon Synthesis]]
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* [[Bosch process]]
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If [[nickel]] is produced in-situ on Mars, additive printing could be used to prepare replacement electrodes for the Sabatier process
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==See Also==
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*[[Hydrocarbon synthesis|Hydrocarbon Synthesis]]
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*[[Bosch process]]
  
 
[[Category:In-situ Resource Utilization]]
 
[[Category:In-situ Resource Utilization]]

Revision as of 10:42, 20 July 2019

Schematic of Methane production system for a Single SpaceX Starship over a period of two years.Electrolysis and hydrogen storage are off the shelf. Sabatier reactor needs to be developed.

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 -165 kJ/mol

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.

The Sabatier process produces a ratio of 4:1 of oxygen to hydrogen, slightly more than the ratio used for propulsion 3.6, to 3.8:1. Excess oxygen can be used for the colony atmosphere os stored for future use.

If nickel is produced in-situ on Mars, additive printing could be used to prepare replacement electrodes for the Sabatier process

See Also