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Abstract

A reactor apparatus for production of Lunar oxygen uses feed stocks comprising a particulate hydrogen-reducible enriched feed in the size range from about 20-200 microns, containing 80-90% Lunar ilmenite (FeTiO.sub.3) and ferrous Lunar agglutinates. The reactor apparatus has three vertically spaced fluidized zones with downcomers from the upper to the central fluidized zone and openings for introducing a hydrogen-containing gas stream through the lower fluidized zone. A solid-to-gas RF-dielectric heater has a ceramic honeycomb with small parallel channels separated by thin, ceramic walls and electrodes surrounding the honeycomb connected to an external RF power source for heating the gas stream to a reducing reaction temperature. A top inlet introduces the enriched feed into the upper fluidized zone for fluidization therein and flow into middle and lower fluidized zones countercurrent to the flow of the gas stream. A solid-state electrolyzer is composed of calcium oxide- or yttrium oxide-stabilized zirconia ceramic fabricated by sintering or slipcasting into a perforated cylindrical shape having platinum electrodes on outer and inner longitudinal surfaces thereof. The electrolyzer cylinder is mounted inside two disk-shaped, impermeable ceramic baffles and centered inside a refractory-lined metal pressure shell. Gaseous effluent containing an equilibrium amount of water from the central fluidized zone passes through the electrolyzer for continuous electrolysis of the water. Apparatus is provided for separating oxygen from the electrolyzer and recycling hydrogen to the gas stream.

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First Claim