What can be a source of oxygen on the Moon? How can we use our chemical knowledge for extracting oxygen from Moon Rocks? How efficient is this reaction? Maybe assimilation process can deliver enough amount of oxygen?
The mini-ecosystem dome
The ultimate goal is to establish a mini-ecosystem dome on the moon were different plants and algae would be cultivated. Some species of animals will also be selected to keep the ecosystem in balance. The dome will have a mechanism to maintain a constant temperature of about 20-30 degrees Celsius. By using the energy of sunlight, plants will convert carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates and oxygen in a process called photosynthesis.
6H₂O + 6CO₂ → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂
A special tube system will deliver oxygen to another segments of the lunar base.
Before the ecosystem start working we need to transport as much compressed air from the Earth as possible.
How can we achieve this.
kubus_i_natalcia .pptx
Additional oxygen sources
In order to maintain a stable oxygen level - 21%, it may be necessary to use other sources of this chemical element.
Both elements oxygen and hydrogen we can receive from water. Researchers have confirmed the presence of water ice on the ground around the lunar north and south poles. Water is also present in forms chemically bound as hydrates and hydroxides in lunar minerals.
Water electrolysis:
Water can be decomposed by passing an electric current through it. The electrolysis of water produces hydrogen and oxygen gases.
| | Acidic conditions | Alkaline conditions |
| Anode | H2O → ½ O2 + 2H+ + 2e- | 2OH- → ½ O2 + 2H2O + 2e- |
| Cathode | 2H+ + 2e-→ H2 | 2H2O + 2e-→ H2 + 2OH- |
Pyrolysis - the thermal decomposition of lunar materials
Moon dust is a mixture of many different minerals, and nearly all of them contain oxygen About 45% of the lunar soil and rocks is made up of oxygen. This oxygen can be extracted if thermal, electrical, or chemical energy is invested to break the chemical bonds.
In vacuum pyrolysis lunar minerals are heated in vacuum in order to decrease boiling point and avoid adverse chemical reactions.
Vacuum pyrolysis is based on the vaporization reaction of metal oxides that simultaneously reduces the oxide and produces O2.
FeTiO2 → Fe +TiO2 +1/2O2
FeO → Fe + 1/2O2
Al2O3 → Al + AlO + O2
MgO → Mg + 1/2O2