Ilmenite Reduction

Hydrogen Reduction

Hydrogen reduction of ilmenite is one method of LUNOX extraction currently being tested by many Universities. Resulting products of the reaction are free iron, titanium dioxide, and water. Resulting water can be removed by condensation and separated via electrolysis to produce LUNOX and H₂(hydrogen) molecules which can be recycled back into the reaction.

Reduction Reaction
FeTiO₃+H₂ ---->Fe+TiO₂+H₂O

Other Methods

Carbothermic reduction of Ilmenite Li or Na reduction of Ilmenite Methane reduction of Ilmenite Plasma reduction of Ilmenite

External Links

ISRU on the Moon. by Larry Taylor http://www.lpi.usra.edu/lunar_knowledge/LTaylor.pdf Extraction Techniques-Oxygen. G. L. Kulcinski, February 18, 2004 http://fti.neep.wisc.edu/neep533/SPRING2004/lecture13.pdf
Processing Lunar Soils for Oxygen and Other Materials. Knudsen & Gibson http://nss.org/settlement/nasa/spaceresvol3/plsoom1.htm

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