Electrochemical Reactor for Producing Oxygen From Carbon Dioxide

An electrochemical reactor is proposed by MicroCell Technologies, LLC to electrochemically reduce carbon dioxide to oxygen. In support of NASA's advanced life support processes and human exploration missions, recovering oxygen from carbon dioxide is important since oxygen resupply is not a viable option. During a Phase I program, we demonstrated a process that uses a low temperature molten salt to selectively adsorb carbon dioxide and reduce it to separated streams of oxygen and carbon monoxide. This carbon dioxide removal and oxygen generator may be used by NASA to provide oxygen for cabin crew life support or for propellant generation on the moon or Mars as a part of the In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) process. During the Phase II project, we will develop this technology into a compact and lightweight reactor to efficiently produce oxygen from carbon dioxide.