Microchannel reactor for extraterrestrial in situ resource utilization

In recent years, the space exploration is developing rapidly; therefore, human beings need the long-term sustainable supply of oxygen and fuel in the activities of space exploration. In situ resource utilization (ISRU) is a sustainable and low-cost solution, and it can reduce the dependence on carrying resources from the earth. ISRU technology might realize extraterrestrial crewed exploration, future space immigration, and other extraterrestrial activities. Taking Mars exploration as an example, the main component of Martian atmosphere is CO2, which can be used as a source of propulsion fuel. In this paper, a device based on microfluidic technology for ISRU was proposed. The reaction principle of the device is described, including the electrolysis reaction at the anode, the mixing of two-phase flow at the cathode, and the CO2 reduction reaction at the cathode. The device uses electrochemical catalysis to convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and fuel, which can achieve energy and matter transformation with a higher efficiency. Based on the device, the fluid flow and chemical reaction were studied; the research was carried out by simulation and experiment. The effects of microchip structural parameters and reaction conditions were analyzed. It is found that the electrochemical catalytic synthesis of CH3OH is affected by the gas-liquid phase flow rate, the microchannel structural parameters, the applied potential, and other conditions.