Gas-Liquid Separator
Cyclonic + Membrane Gas-Water Separator
The cyclonic and membrane gas-water separator is a two-kilogram fluid-processing component built from a 316L stainless steel body, demister mesh, and a hydrophobic PTFE membrane that removes entrained gas from electrolyzer output and entrained water from gas products. In the lunar environment, where 1/6 g alters fluid separation dynamics, the unit employs cyclonic motion rather than passive gravity settling alongside a vacuum-rated membrane stage. Operating with zero watts of power consumption and no moving parts, this multi-stage cascade achieves a 99.9 percent separation efficiency, providing an 80,000-hour mean time between failures across a 15-year operational lifetime.
Cyclonic + membrane separator removing entrained gas from electrolyzer output and entrained water from gas products.
Purpose
Cyclonic + membrane separator removing entrained gas from electrolyzer output and entrained water from gas products.
Context
Child of L2-WTR-ELEC in L1-WTR water processing chain
Principles
- ▸Cyclonic separator removes bulk water from gas stream
- ▸Hydrophobic membrane (PTFE) prevents water carry-over in gas
- ▸Demister captures fine droplets
- ▸Multi-stage cascade for high gas purity
- ▸Recycled water returned to electrolyzer feed
Typical implementations
- ▸ISS Sabatier reactor gas-liquid separator heritage
- ▸Industrial fuel-cell BOP separators
- ▸Toyota Mirai gas separator (terrestrial automotive)
Lunar considerations
- ▸1/6 g changes separator dynamics — cyclonic still works
- ▸PTFE membrane vacuum-rated
- ▸No-moving-parts cyclonic preferred for long life
Specifications
Functional
| primary function | Cyclonic + membrane separator removing entrained gas from electrolyzer output and entrained water from gas products. |
| separation efficiency percent | 99.9 |
Physical
| mass kg | 2 |
| materials | PTFE membrane, 316L SS cyclone body, Demister mesh |
| vacuum compatibility | True |
Operational
| power consumption w | 0 |
| thermal range c | -40, 70 |
| lifetime years | 15 |
| mtbf hours | 80000 |
Interfaces
Provides
- Dry O2 gas
Requires
- Wet gas/water mixture
Cite this entry
Lunar Ark Codex. "Gas-Liquid Separator" (L3-WTR-ELEC-SEP). Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://lunarark.com/entry/L3-WTR-ELEC-SEP
Licensed CC-BY-SA 4.0. You may reuse and adapt this entry with attribution, under the same licence.