Direct Electrolysis of Molten Lunar Regolith for the Production of Oxygen and Metals on the Moon

Abstract

The feasibility of producing oxygen by direct electrolysis of the molten lunar regolith at 1600 C was investigated and the generation of usable oxygen gas at the anode and concomitant production of iron and silicon at the cathode was successfully achieved from the tightly bound oxide mix. The current efficiency for different melt chemistries, corresponding to different degrees of electrolysis of the regolith, was measured during the course of electrolysis by on steam analysis of oxygen gas and scale-up from thin wire electrodes to plate and disc electrodes was achieved.