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Fabrication and Performance of Zirconia Electrolysis Cells for Cabon Dioxide Reduction for Mars In Situ Resource Utilization ApplicationsUse of the Martian atmosphere (95% CO2) to produce oxygen (for propellant and life support) can significantly lower the required launch mass and dramatically reduce the total cost for Mars missions. Zirconia electrolysis cells are one of the technologies being considered for oxygen generation from carbon dioxide in Mars In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) production plants. The attractive features of the zirconia cell for this application include simple operation and lightweight, low volume system. A zirconia electrolysis cell is an all-solid state device, based on oxygen-ion conducting zirconia electrolytes, that electrochemically reduces carbon dioxide to oxygen and carbon monoxide. The cell consists of two porous electrodes (the anode and cathode) separated by a dense zirconia electrolyte. Typical zirconia cells contain an electrolyte layer which is 200 to 400 micrometer thick. The electrical conductivity requirement for the electrolyte necessitates an operating temperature of 9000 to 10000C. Recently, the fabrication of zirconia cells by the tape calendering has been evaluated. This fabrication process provides a simple means of making cells having very thin electrolytes (5 to 30 micrometers). Thin zirconia electrolytes reduce cell ohmic losses, permitting efficient operation at lower temperatures (8000C or below). Thus, tape-calendered cells provides not only the potential of low temperature operation but also the flexibility in operating temperatures. This paper describes the fabrication of zirconia cells by the tape calendering method and discusses the performance results obtained to date.
Document ID
19990087467
Acquisition Source
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Minh, N. Q.
(Allied-Signal Aerospace Co. Torrance, CA United States)
Chung, B. W.
(Allied-Signal Aerospace Co. Torrance, CA United States)
Doshi, R.
(Allied-Signal Aerospace Co. Torrance, CA United States)
Lear, G. R.
(Allied-Signal Aerospace Co. Torrance, CA United States)
Montgomery, K.
(Allied-Signal Aerospace Co. Torrance, CA United States)
Ong, E. T.
(Allied-Signal Aerospace Co. Torrance, CA United States)
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1999
Publication Information
Publication: Abstracts In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU 3) Technical Interchange Meeting: Abstracts
Subject Category
Engineering (General)
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: JPL-960970
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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