Mars Oxygen and Methane System (MOMS)

Main objectives of proposed work: bull;nbsp;Continuation of SBIR Phase II redox tolerant cathodenbsp;materials development to improve stack robustness and performance stability bull; Long-term SOXE stack testing for materials qualification (5,000-10,000 hours of operation) bull; Performance mapping ofnbsp;stack operation for conversion and coking limits in co-electrolysis mode bull; Process modelling of pre and post systemnbsp;stream handling Design, fabricate, and relevant condition test a breadboard system capable of producing 1-3 kg/hour high purity O2 (gt;99.6%) and associated methane, at pressures of 1-4 bar, with a CO2 to CH4 conversion yield gt;60nbsp;and up to 80% This work will be accomplished via a continuation of the Phase II SBIR redox tolerant cathodenbsp;materials development coupled with qualification testing. Long term testing will target 5,000-10,000 hours operation. Short term testing will be used to map coking behavior of the cathode material. Both will be combined with simulation modeling to perform trade-studies to optimize the design of the deliverable hardware. Both the SOXE stack and methanation reactor subsystems will undergo individual commissioning and demonstration testing, prior to full system integration. Integrated system testing will be done in a terrestrial environment at OxEon and under Mars relevant conditions. The final deliverable to NASA will be the integrated Mars ISRU breadboard system, capable of producing O2 and CH4 from CO2 and H2O.