Process

Reagents and Required wear parts

Overall assessment

Carbothermal Reduction

Carbon (Solid, Methane, CO)

Medium process complexity, regents required, requires artificial atmosphere

Hydrogen Reduction of Ilmenite

Hydrogen

Medium process complexity, regents required, requires artificial atmosphere, limited feedstock availability

Molten Oxide Electrolysis (MOE)

Electrolyte (CaCl₂ - CaO, or SiO₂ - B₂O₃ - Na₂O, LiF, CaF₂, MgF₂, Na₂O, NaBO₄, Na₃PO₄, Na₅P₃O₁₀, NaF - AlF₃) Anodes

Medium process complexity, regents required, requires partial artificial atmosphere, high electrical load

Molten Regolith Electrolysis (MRE)

Anodes

Medium process complexity, electrodes required, requires partial artificial atmosphere, high electrical load

Solid Electrolysis

Electrolyte (CaCl₂ - CaO, AlF₃) Anodes

Medium process complexity, regents required, requires partial artificial atmosphere, lower electrical load

Thermal Decomposition

Hydrogen

Medium process complexity, no regents required, low electrical load (requires access to sunlight)

Ionic Liquid & Aqueous Electrolysis

Ionic Liquids, Water, Electrodes, Sulfuric acid or Phosphoric acid in some cases.

High process complexity, regents required, requires artificial atmosphere, medium electrical load

Aluminothermic Reduction

Conducted in electrolyte (NaF, AlF) Anode (Fe_0.58Ni_0.42) Initial reactant (Al)

High process complexity, regents required, requires partial artificial atmosphere, high electrical load

Lithium Reduction

Electrodes (FeSi₂Li_x, Pt, La0.89Sr0.1MnO₃), Reactant (LiF, LiCl or Li₂O), Electrolyte (ZrO₂), Catholyte (La_0.89Sr_0.1MnO₃)

High process complexity, regents required, requires partial artificial atmosphere, high electrical load

Acid Reduction

HF, H₂SO₄

High process complexity, regents required, requires artificial atmosphere, limited feedstock availability

Fluorine Reduction

KF, LiF, NaF, or HF

High process complexity, regents required, requires partial artificial atmosphere, high electrical load

Bio-Reduction

Bacteria, Water, Defined Minimal Medium

High process complexity, regents required, requires artificial atmosphere, needs high precision temperature control

Carbochlorination

Cl (g), Carbon (s), Hydrogen and/or water

High process complexity, regents required, requires partial artificial atmosphere, medium electrical load, specific feedstock required

Calcium Reduction

Molten Salt (CaO/CaCl₂) Electrodes Initial reactant (Ca)

High process complexity, regents required, requires partial artificial atmosphere, high electrical load