Imagining sustainable human ecosystems with power-to-x in-situ resource utilisation technology

Baldry, Mark; Gurieff, Nicholas; Keogh, Declan Finn

doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2021.12.031

Cited by 12 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 90 publications

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“…Details of materials and methods needed are presented by Zlindra et al 66 . Furthermore, Baldry et al 67 explores the possibilities of integrating several individual ISRU system into one using the power-to-x (P2X) concept. This research explores the potential of P2X in achieving key ISRU outputs such as water, oxygen, methane and other buffer gases as outlined in the NASA design reference architecture 5.0 for a Mars mission 68 .…”

Section: State Of the Artmentioning

confidence: 99%

About feasibility of SpaceX's human exploration Mars mission scenario with Starship

Maiwald,

Bauerfeind,

Fälker

et al. 2024

Sci Rep

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After decades where human spaceflight missions have been reserved to low Earth orbit, recent years have seen mission proposals and even implemented plans, e.g. with the mission Artemis I, for returning to the lunar surface. SpaceX has published over various media (e.g., its official website, conference presentations, user manual) conceptual information for its reusable Starship to enable human exploration missions to the Martian surface by the end of the decade. The technological and human challenges associated with these plans are daunting. Such a mission at that distance would require excellent system reliability and in-situ-resource utilization on a grand scale, e.g. to produce propellant. The plans contain little details however and have not yet been reviewed concerning their feasibility. In this paper we show significant technological gaps in these plans. Based on estimates and extrapolated data, a mass model as needed to fulfill SpaceX’s plans could not be reproduced and the subsequent trajectory optimization showed that the current plans do not yield a return flight opportunity, due to a too large system mass. Furthermore, significant gaps exist in relevant technologies, e.g. power supply for the Martian surface. It is unlikely that these gaps can be closed until the end of the decade. We recommend several remedies, e.g. stronger international participation to distribute technology development and thus improve feasibility. Overall, with the limited information published by SpaceX about its system and mission scenario and extrapolation from us to fill information gaps, we were not able to find a feasible Mars mission scenario using Starship, even when assuming optimal conditions such as 100% recovery rate of crew consumables during flight.

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Section: State Of the Artmentioning

confidence: 99%

About feasibility of SpaceX's human exploration Mars mission scenario with Starship

Maiwald,

Bauerfeind,

Fälker

et al. 2024

Sci Rep

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“…Although our immediate objective is to contribute to the abatement of global warming, plasma technology in general and the proposed technology in particular with emphasis on anhydrous ammonia and symbiotic-smart fertilizer production have future and spaceage applications in transport fuel, soilless-agriculture, lunar or spacecraft agriculturehorticulture [4,36,411,412] as well as precision agriculture [413] including at-field (in-soil) and on-demand fertilization [414].…”

Section: Conclusion and Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydrogen, Ammonia and Symbiotic/Smart Fertilizer Production Using Renewable Feedstock and CO2 Utilization through Catalytic Processes and Nonthermal Plasma with Novel Catalysts and In Situ Reactive Separation: A Roadmap for Sustainable and Innovation-Based Technology

Akay

2023

Catalysts

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This multi-disciplinary paper aims to provide a roadmap for the development of an integrated, process-intensified technology for the production of H2, NH3 and NH3-based symbiotic/smart fertilizers (referred to as target products) from renewable feedstock with CO2 sequestration and utilization while addressing environmental issues relating to the emerging Food, Energy and Water shortages as a result of global warming. The paper also discloses several novel processes, reactors and catalysts. In addition to the process intensification character of the processes used and reactors designed in this study, they also deliver novel or superior products so as to lower both capital and processing costs. The critical elements of the proposed technology in the sustainable production of the target products are examined under three-sections: (1) Materials: They include natural or synthetic porous water absorbents for NH3 sequestration and symbiotic and smart fertilizers (S-fertilizers), synthesis of plasma interactive supported catalysts including supported piezoelectric catalysts, supported high-entropy catalysts, plasma generating-chemical looping and natural catalysts and catalysts based on quantum effects in plasma. Their performance in NH3 synthesis and CO2 conversion to CO as well as the direct conversion of syngas to NH3 and NH3—fertilizers are evaluated, and their mechanisms investigated. The plasma-generating chemical-looping catalysts (Catalysts, 2020, 10, 152; and 2016, 6, 80) were further modified to obtain a highly active piezoelectric catalyst with high levels of chemical and morphological heterogeneity. In particular, the mechanism of structure formation in the catalysts BaTi1−rMrO3−x−y{#}xNz and M3O4−x−y{#}xNz/Si = X was studied. Here, z = 2y/3, {#} represents an oxygen vacancy and M is a transition metal catalyst. (2) Intensified processes: They include, multi-oxidant (air, oxygen, CO2 and water) fueled catalytic biomass/waste gasification for the generation of hydrogen-enriched syngas (H2, CO, CO2, CH4, N2); plasma enhanced syngas cleaning with ca. 99% tar removal; direct syngas-to-NH3 based fertilizer conversion using catalytic plasma with CO2 sequestration and microwave energized packed bed flow reactors with in situ reactive separation; CO2 conversion to CO with BaTiO3−x{#}x or biochar to achieve in situ O2 sequestration leading to higher CO2 conversion, biochar upgrading for agricultural applications; NH3 sequestration with CO2 and urea synthesis. (3) Reactors: Several patented process-intensified novel reactors were described and utilized. They are all based on the Multi-Reaction Zone Reactor (M-RZR) concept and include, a multi-oxidant gasifier, syngas cleaning reactor, NH3 and fertilizer production reactors with in situ NH3 sequestration with mineral acids or CO2. The approach adopted for the design of the critical reactors is to use the critical materials (including natural catalysts and soil additives) in order to enhance intensified H2 and NH3 production. Ultimately, they become an essential part of the S-fertilizer system, providing efficient fertilizer use and enhanced crop yield, especially under water and nutrient stress. These critical processes and reactors are based on a process intensification philosophy where critical materials are utilized in the acceleration of the reactions including NH3 production and carbon dioxide reduction. When compared with the current NH3 production technology (Haber–Bosch process), the proposed technology achieves higher ammonia conversion at much lower temperatures and atmospheric pressure while eliminating the costly NH3 separation process through in situ reactive separation, which results in the production of S-fertilizers or H2 or urea precursor (ammonium carbamate). As such, the cost of NH3-based S-fertilizers can become competitive with small-scale distributed production platforms compared with the Haber–Bosch fertilizers.

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“…In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) and In Situ Fabrication and Repair (ISFR) technologies are essential components for space exploration and colonization. ISRU technologies can provide life support consumables, propellants, construction materials, and energy, to a crew stationed on a moon, planet, or asteroid (Sanders and Larson, 2011;Mason and Rucker, 2019;Schlüter and Cowley, 2020;Baldry et al, 2022). ISFR technologies, in contrast, aim to meet requirements related to the fabrication and repair of materials and equipments, in situ, at the location where they operate (MlYAZAKI and Osamu, 2002;Miyazaki and Odawara, 2003;Moore et al, 2004;Bassler et al, 2006;Faierson et al, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent advances on ISRU technologies and study of microgravity impact on blood cells for deep space exploration

Cao

Concas

Orrù

et al. 2023

Front. Space Technol.

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The long-term solution to problems like overcrowding, fossil fuel depletion, climate change, and decreasing natural resource availability could be overcome through space colonization and human presence in space, as well as the exploitation of extraterrestrial natural resources. In keeping with this, the objective of this work is to analyze current advancements in technology development for deep space exploration and colonization made by our research team as well as by other organizations with which we are collaborating. First, a method for producing tangible goods suited for industrial or civil installations on the Moon, Mars, or asteroids, using in situ available regolith as the main resource, is discussed. In this regard, a new process based on the occurrence of self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) reactions was developed for the fabrication of composite ceramics to be used as construction materials. A theoretical analysis of the process using proper dimensionless numbers is also described to offer potential explanations of the key experimental evidences presented in the relevant literature. For instance, it is found that free convection likely plays a crucial role to make SHS front velocity higher under terrestrial conditions when the reaction ignition is carried out from the bottom side, instead of the top side, of reacting mixture. Next, a method that uses the atmosphere and regolith of Mars as raw feedstock to produce in situ useful material such as oxygen, water, food, fuels and fertilizers, is considered. In the next section, the potential for cultivating Spirulina platensis to provide nourishment for the Martian crew is examined. The possible use of sintered lunar regolith simulants such as JSC-1A is also considered for potential thermal energy storage and solar energy harvesting applications, within the context of resource exploitation. Sintered regolith simulant exhibited, compared to the native material in powder form, superior solar absorptance, which makes it suitable for sunlight absorbers in architectures with a cavity-like solar receiver. Finally, a new study is reported which combines biochemical and biophysical approaches in order to compare, under simulated microgravity and under terrestrial conditions, the functioning and structure of red blood cells, over various intervals of time.

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Imagining sustainable human ecosystems with power-to-x in-situ resource utilisation technology

Cited by 12 publications

References 90 publications

About feasibility of SpaceX's human exploration Mars mission scenario with Starship

About feasibility of SpaceX's human exploration Mars mission scenario with Starship

Hydrogen, Ammonia and Symbiotic/Smart Fertilizer Production Using Renewable Feedstock and CO2 Utilization through Catalytic Processes and Nonthermal Plasma with Novel Catalysts and In Situ Reactive Separation: A Roadmap for Sustainable and Innovation-Based Technology

Recent advances on ISRU technologies and study of microgravity impact on blood cells for deep space exploration

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