Researchers propose a new way to transform carbon dioxide.
An international group of scientists developed a new a plasma-based method of producing oxygen on Mars. Such a system could play an important role in the development of the life support system of future colonies on the Red Planet, reports Scitechdaily.
The Martian atmosphere consists mainly of carbon dioxide, which can be split to obtain oxygen, and the pressure here is favorable for plasma ignition. . This makes the conditions on the Red Planet almost ideal for using plasma here.
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Two large objects stand in the way of getting oxygen on Mars obstacles.
“First, the decomposition of carbon dioxide molecules to extract oxygen. This molecule is very difficult to destroy. Secondly, the separation of the obtained oxygen from the gas mixture, which also contains, for example, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. We consider these two steps in an integrated way to solve both problems at the same time. This is where plasma can help,” said Vasco Guerra from the University of Lisbon, one of the authors of the study.
Plasma, the fourth natural state of matter, contains free charged particles such as electrons and ions. Electrons are easily accelerated to high speeds by electric fields.
“When spherical electrons collide with a carbon dioxide molecule, they can either directly break it apart or transfer energy to make it vibrate. This energy can be directed largely to the decomposition of carbon dioxide. Together with our colleagues in France and the Netherlands, we experimentally demonstrated the validity of these theories. In addition, the heat that is released in the plasma is also useful for the release of oxygen,” said Guerra.
Oxygen is very important for creating a breathing environment. In addition, it is the starting point for the production of fuel and fertilizer for future Martian agriculture. Future missions will require local fuel production. All of them are crucial for the future human settlement of Mars.
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