Imagining Sustainable Human Ecosystems with Power-to-x in-situ Resource Utilisation Technology

Extensive in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU) will be essential to enable long-duration stays on Luna and Mars and reduce reliance on resupply from Earth. Early development of ISRU technologies has focused on standalone capabilities for specific targets related to life support and ascent propellant. An unexplored opportunity remains for greatly expanding the scope of materials that can be supplied by ISRU, and for integrating various technology platforms into a larger system. Recent advances in power-to-X technology aimed at decarbonising the global economy have made it possible to drive key chemical processes using electricity with small-scale, modular reactor. This paper proposes a vision for an integrated system of ISRU processes based on power-to-X technology to produce oxygen, hydrogen, water, methane, polymers, metal alloys, and synthetic fertilisers, using Martian regolith, atmosphere, and ice. A ‘building block’ strategy is adopted to convert raw materials into versatile intermediaries, which can then be combined to form essential products. A wider range of raw materials are available on Mars compared to Luna, suggesting greater opportunity for ISRU deployment to compensate for the greater time and cost requirements for a Mars resupply mission.

MOLECULAR HYDROGEN GENERATOR GVCH LIFE

Molecular hydrogen is one of the effective antioxidants, which not only does not disrupt normal metabolism in the body, but also activates its antioxidant systems. Hydrogen-saturated water has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-apoptotic properties, stimulates energy metabolism and contributes to the systemic recovery of the body. It is used as a therapeutic factor for the treatment of patients with various pathologies: arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes, obesity, metabolic disorders, disorders of the musculoskeletal system. The article discusses the various methods of obtaining molecular hydrogen and hydrogen water (direct and indirect saturation). Technical characteristics are described and features of the hydrogen generator GVCh Life (manufacturer LTD «Chemtest Ukraine+», Kharkiv, Ukraine), which produces molecular hydrogen (purity of which is 99.99 %, productivity — 100 ml/min) and saturates water with it (https://chemtest.com.ua/generator_vodorodnoy_vodi_i_dihanie_gvch_life). In contrast to the problems of most known generators in the device GVChLife is completely no contact of the electrodes with water, so it is not subject to electrolysis and is not saturated with metal ions. Water saturated in this way has the following characteristics: redox potential 560 mV, hydrogen concentration 1.0–1.15 ppm(water volume 1 l, saturation duration 10 min). The generator can be used for both hydrogen saturation and hydrogen inhalation. In the case of therapeutic use of hydrogen water to obtain it, you can use any drinking water (spring, prepared or non-carbonated bottled), hydrogen inhalation using nasal cannulas. Inhalation of pure hydrogen gas (99.99 %) for 30 minutes is equal to the use of 15 liters of hydrogen water (concentration 1.1–1.2 ppm). Conclusions. The developed MoHC Life molecular hydrogen generator is safe to use, without special requirements during operation. It can be successfully used in the complex therapy of patients with various diseases, including musculoskeletal system.

Molecular hydrogen as a possible therapeutic factor in complex rehabilitation therapy in patients with muscular skeletal disorders (literature review)

The paper presents an analysis of foreign scientific and medical data on the therapeutic factor — molecular hydrogen. The effectiveness of its application in the complex therapy of many diseases is revealed. The effect is achieved due to the small size of the mo­lecule, which passes through biological membranes and inhibits dangerous free radicals in the mitochondria, as well as in the nuc­leus, which reduces the possibility of DNA damaging. Molecular hydrogen neutralizes oxidants in the brain due to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. It normalizes the functions and metabolic processes in the body and, as an antioxidant, is selective: it does not affect the useful free radicals involved in important metabo­lic processes and selectively eliminates only the most dangerous oxidants — hydroxyl radicals. Interacting with them, hydrogen converts them into water molecules without the formation of by-products and chain reactions. Unlike other known antioxidants, molecular hydrogen does not disrupt normal metabolism, does not cause negative changes in cells, activates the body’s own anti­oxidant systems. The possibility and expediency of the use of molecular hydrogen in the case of pathology of the musculoskeletal system has been confirmed. The peculiarities of its effect on bone and cartilage tissue in the experiment are shown. It has been determined that the use of molecular hydrogen is a new pharmacological strategy aimed at the selective removal of ONOO—, and can be an effective method in the treatment of joint diseases. Because cartilage receives nutrients through a diffusion-loading mechanism, and molecular hydrogen penetrates rapidly into tissues, it can be useful for the prevention of diseases of joints of degenerative origin. It reduces oxidative stress and slows down the reduction of matrix proteins and inhibition of proteinase degradation. Its effectiveness has been proven after injuries to the spinal cord, muscles and tendons, comorbid diseases such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Key words. Molecular hydrogen, hydrogen water, hydrogen inhalations, joint diseases, consequences of musculoskeletal injuries, comorbid pathology.

IMPROVEMENT OF GAS MONITORING METHODS IN WATER OF THE HYDROGEN-WATER COOLING SYSTEM OF NPP’S TURBINE GENERATOR

The relevance of research is to ensure and improve the reliability of turbine generators (TG) with a hydrogen-water cooling system by monitoring the content of dissolved gases in the water of a hydrogen-water cooling system with monoethanolamine (MEA) – C2H7NO and water vapor in the cooling hydrogen of the turbine. In this work, the influence of ultrasonic vibrations on the decomposition of a mixture of water and turbine oil, organic acids (acetic acid - С2Н4О2, formic acid - СН2О2, oxalic acid - С2Н2О4) or monoethanolamine was determined. The distribution coefficients values were definedd for the following dissolved gases Н2, О2, N2, СО, СН4, С2Н2, С2Н4, С2Н6, С3Н6, С3Н8, which are of degradation products of water mix components when exposed to ultrasonic oscillation in the following system: «dissolved gas – mixture «water + monoethanolamine» – extractant argon (Ar)». The obtained values of the Кі distribution coefficients for dissolved gases in systems «dissolved gas – mixture «water + С2Н7NО» – extractant argon (Ar)» at a temperature of 293 K and a concentration of С2Н7NО at the level of 1 g/dm3 are close to similar values for dissolved gases in deionized water. The principle flow chart of multichannel gas chromatograph for detecting dissolved gases in water and steam of water in hydrogen was developed. Developed flow chart of 4-chennel gas chromatographer for defining dissolved gases in water includes the one gas chromatographer with conductivity detector, methanator, flame ionization detector, argon gas-bearing and supplementary gases of hydrogen and air.