Nested Reactor for In-Situ Oxygen Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for extracting oxygen and metals from powdered metal oxides, particularly in extra-terrestrial applications, face challenges related to high weight-to-output ratios and high costs associated with transporting materials into space.
Innovation Solution
A miniaturized reactor device and conversion system that integrates a cathode reactor vessel within an anode reactor vessel, utilizing a SOM-type anode and a porous cathode, which reduces the system's mass and volume while maintaining efficiency in oxygen and metal extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional electrolysis devices are used for extracting oxygen and metals from powdered metal oxides, then the extraction process can be performed effectively, but the weight-to-output ratio becomes excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested reactor configuration where the cathode reactor vessel is positioned inside the anode reactor vessel. The cathode vessel containing powdered metal oxide feedstock is nested within the anode vessel containing electrolyte, creating a compact concentric arrangement that reduces overall system volume and weight while maintaining effective extraction functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the cathode and anode reactor vessels into a single integrated device structure. The cathode reactor vessel serves dual purposes as both the reaction container and the cathode electrode, while the anode reactor vessel serves as both the electrolyte container and the anode electrode, merging multiple functions into unified components that reduce overall system mass.
2Productivity
If conventional electrolysis devices are used for extracting oxygen and metals from powdered metal oxides, then the extraction process can be performed effectively, but the system volume and mass increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested reactor configuration where the cathode reactor vessel is positioned inside the anode reactor vessel. The cathode vessel containing powdered metal oxide feedstock is nested within the anode vessel containing electrolyte, creating a compact concentric arrangement that reduces overall system volume and weight while maintaining effective extraction functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The reactor vessels serve multiple functions simultaneously: the cathode reactor vessel acts as both the reaction container for powdered feedstock and the cathode electrode, while the anode reactor vessel serves as both the electrolyte container and the anode electrode. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components, reducing overall system volume.
3Productivity
If conventional electrolysis devices are used, then metal oxide conversion can proceed, but the cost of transporting materials into space becomes prohibitively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested reactor configuration where the cathode reactor vessel is positioned inside the anode reactor vessel. The cathode vessel containing powdered metal oxide feedstock is nested within the anode vessel containing electrolyte, creating a compact concentric arrangement that reduces overall system volume and weight while maintaining effective extraction functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the cathode and anode reactor vessels into a single integrated device structure. The cathode reactor vessel serves dual purposes as both the reaction container and the cathode electrode, while the anode reactor vessel serves as both the electrolyte container and the anode electrode, merging multiple functions into unified components that reduce overall system mass.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The miniaturized system achieves a lower weight-to-output ratio, enhancing efficiency and reducing energy consumption, making it suitable for space-qualified applications where weight and cost are critical factors.
Implementation Method 1
oxygen ions travelling through an electrolyte from the cathode reactor vessel to the anode reactor vessel
Implementation Method 2
converted to the metal powder and oxygen ions by the application of an electrical potential
Implementation Method 3
attract the oxygen ions travelling through an electrolyte from the cathode reactor vessel to the anode reactor vessel
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a reactor device (2) for converting powdered metal oxides, in particular metal oxides contained in regolith, to metal powder and molecular oxygen (O2), the reactor device (2) comprising a cathode reactor vessel (8) providing a receiving space (14) for the powdered metal oxides and adapted to be connected to an electron source (21) such that the powdered electrode oxides can be converted to the metal powder and oxygen ions (O2-) by the application of an electrical potential, and an anode reactor vessel (4) adapted to be connected to an electron sink (22) to attract the oxygen ions (O2-) travelling through an electrolyte (6) from the cathode reactor vessel (8) to the anode reactor vessel (4) during operation of the reactor device (2); wherein the anode reactor vessel (4) at least partially surrounds the cathode reactor vessel (8). Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a conversion system (1) for converting powdered metal oxides, in particular metal oxides contained in regolith, to a metal powder and molecular oxygen (O2), the conversion system (1) comprising at least one corresponding reactor device (2).