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Experimental data from an oxygen plant for MarsExperimental data are presented on various aspects of the plant operation intended to produce oxygen from the atmospheric carbon dioxide at any Martian site. A solid electrolytic cell is used in the tubular geometry. Anaerobic carbon dioxide is procured from a gas vendor and is used at a pressure of 1 bar (entrance to the plant). The variables include the voltage applied to the cell, the temperature of the cell, the current density, the flow rate and the duty-cycle. The oxygen production rates have been consistent with the specifications of the cell manufacturer. It is projected that a plant weighing between 145 and 197 kg can be built to produce 10 kg of oxygen per day. Various operational characteristics such as cell poisoning, carbon formation, nitrogen embrittlement, local current densities exceeding the breakdown potential for the cell material, reliability, risk, are all being quantitatively assessed.
Document ID
19910016768
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Schallhorn, P. A.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Colvin, J.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Sridhar, K. R.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Ramohalli, Kumar
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1991
Publication Information
Publication: Resources of Near-Earth Space: Abstracts
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
91N26082
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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