Electrolysis in reduced gravitational environments: current research perspectives and future applications
Akay, Ömer; Bashkatov, Aleksandr; Coy, Emerson; Eckert, Kerstin; Einarsrud, Kristian Etienne; Friedrich, Andreas; Kimmel, Benjamin; Loos, Stefan; Mutschke, Gerd; Röntzsch, Lars; Symes, Mark D.; Yang, Xuegeng; Brinkert, Katharina
Peer reviewed, Journal article
Published version
Permanent lenke
https://hdl.handle.net/11250/3039349Utgivelsesdato
2022Metadata
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- Institutt for materialteknologi [2549]
- Publikasjoner fra CRIStin - NTNU [38294]
Sammendrag
Electrochemical energy conversion technologies play a crucial role in space missions, for example, in the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) on the International Space Station (ISS). They are also vitally important for future long-term space travel for oxygen, fuel and chemical production, where a re-supply of resources from Earth is not possible. Here, we provide an overview of currently existing electrolytic energy conversion technologies for space applications such as proton exchange membrane (PEM) and alkaline electrolyzer systems. We discuss the governing interfacial processes in these devices influenced by reduced gravitation and provide an outlook on future applications of electrolysis systems in, e.g., in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) technologies. A perspective of computational modelling to predict the impact of the reduced gravitational environment on governing electrochemical processes is also discussed and experimental suggestions to better understand efficiency-impacting processes such as gas bubble formation and detachment in reduced gravitational environments are outlined.