2 ms·
You can "burn" it like coal, except that it "burns" CO2 instead of oxygen. That is a bit optimistic :-) The potential energy per gram of mass is much lower th
by philipkglass 8y ago
You can "burn" it like coal, except that it "burns" CO2 instead of oxygen.
That is a bit optimistic :-)
The potential energy per gram of mass is much lower than for coal burning in Earth's atmosphere -- worse, the kinetics are so sluggish that you would need a very large vessel with good insulation to build up a useful temperature differential.
You'd also need to concentrate perchlorates from the Martian soil before they would sustain combustion with methane. Assuming that was done, though, perchlorates plus hydrocarbons will combust with vigor.
- jaggederest 8y agoI think the analysis I saw was that it's energetic enough that the entire mining + grinding + "burning" process is energetically favorable. Which I found pretty astounding, but I think that points more to the incredible efficiency of mining and industrial processes than anything. I think that was also at elevated temperature in a carbonic acid solution, so basically the fastest possible "weathering".