HIRSU reactor

A team from Spanish technological centre Tekniker and the University of Cantabria is developing a system that uses sunlight to turn carbon dioxide and wastewater into methane, which can be used as fuel. The researchers aim to create a reactor for the production of fuel on Mars using the planet’s air, which is 95% carbon dioxide. Sunlight powers the reactor, and the system incorporates astronauts’ greywater – used water coming for example from a bathroom sink or shower. The 'photoelectrochemical' system in the reactor is capable of splitting water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen, and uses the hydrogen together with carbon dioxide to create methane. Since the greywater would also be detoxified in the process, the system would double as a waste recycling method.

The HISRU project (‘Photoelectrochemical system for CO2 reduction to produce fuels and sewage treatment’) was submitted through the Open Space Innovation Platform (OSIP) and implemented by the Discovery element of ESA's Basic Activities.