Ilmenite Reduction

Hydrogen Reduction

Hydrogen reduction of ilmenite is one method of lunar oxygen (LUNOX) extraction currently being tested by many Universities. Products of the hydrogen reduction are free iron, titanium dioxide, and water. The resulting water can be removed by condensation and separated via electrolysis to produce oxygen and H₂ (hydrogen). The hydrogen is then be recycled into the reaction.

Reduction Reaction:
FeTiO₃+H₂ ---->Fe+TiO₂+H₂O <BR/?Electrolysis Reaction:

2H₂O ---->2 H₂+ O₂
Net Reaction:
2FeTiO₃---->2Fe+2TiO₂+ O₂

Other Methods of Ilmenite reduction

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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