A report proposes an apparatus that would extract water from the atmosphere of Mars and would consume little energy in doing so. The apparatus would include a set of copper plates surrounded by a thermal shield with slots through which atmospheric gas could circulate. At night, the slots would be open and the plates would be cooled to a temperature-170 K by thermally coupling them to a radiator facing the sky. Assuming that in the nighttime Martian atmosphere at ground level, the temperature is ≤200 K and the concentration of water vapor is at or near saturation, the vapor would condense and freeze on the plates. During the day, the slots would be closed and plates would be heated by thermally coupling them to a small solar collector; this would cause the ice to melt, and the water thus produced would be collected.
This work was done by Pramod K. Sharma of Caltech for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. To obtain a copy of the report, "A Passively Operated Unit for Extraction of Water from the Mars Atmosphere," access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-line at www.nasatech.com/tsp under the Physical Sciences category.
NPO-20843
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Apparatus Would Extract Water From The Martian Atmosphere
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Overview
The document outlines a proposed research project focused on a novel technology for extracting water from the Martian atmosphere, which is crucial for human exploration and resource utilization on Mars. The technology is based on a cryolayer condensation concept that operates passively, leveraging diurnal temperature cycles on Mars to minimize power requirements. This approach is significant for In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU), addressing the need for water as a vital resource for sustaining life and supporting energy production through electrolysis.
The extraction system consists of several key components: a filter, a fan, an adsorption bed, a regeneration unit, a condenser, and an active-control system. The adsorption bed captures water vapor until it reaches saturation, after which it is regenerated using microwave heating to approximately 430 K. This process allows most of the captured water to be released from the bed. The design emphasizes efficiency, requiring only a small amount of power—around 50 watts for brief periods—to operate effectively.
The document highlights the importance of water for manned missions to Mars, not only for life support but also as a source of hydrogen and oxygen, which can be used for fuel and energy. The ability to extract water from the Martian atmosphere would significantly enhance the feasibility of long-term human presence on the planet, supporting various exploration activities such as drilling and processing.
Additionally, the document discusses the patent rights status of the technology, indicating that no disclosures have been made without a non-disclosure agreement, and that the technology has not yet been sold or used commercially. Two proposals based on this concept have been submitted to NASA, reflecting ongoing interest and development in this area.
Overall, the proposed water extraction technology represents a critical advancement in the quest for sustainable human exploration of Mars, addressing both the immediate needs for water and the broader goals of energy resource development in extraterrestrial environments. The document serves as a technical disclosure aimed at garnering interest and support for further research and potential implementation of this innovative solution.
