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A Viable Scheme for Elemental Extraction and Purification Using In-Situ Planetary ResourcesNASA's new strategic direction includes establishing a self-sufficient, affordable and safe human and robotic presence outside the low earth orbit. Some of the items required for a self-sufficient extra-terrestrial habitat will include materials for power generation (e.g. Si for solar cells) and habitat construction (e.g. Al, Fe, and Ti). In this paper we will present a viable elemental extraction and refining process from in-situ regolith which would be optimally continuous, robotically automated, and require a minimum amount of astronaut supervision and containment facilities, The approach is based on using a concentrated heat source and translating sample geometry to enable simultaneous oxide reduction and elemental refining. Preliminary results will be presented to demonstrate that the proposed zone refining process is capable of segregating or refining important elements such as Si (for solar cell fabrication) and Fe (for habitat construction). A conceptual scheme will be presented whereby such a process could be supported by use of solar energy and a precursor robotic mission on the surface of the moon.
Document ID
20050092374
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Sen, S.
(BAE Systems Huntsville, AL, United States)
Schofield, E.
(Plasma Processes, Inc. Huntsville, AL, United States)
ODell, S.
(Plasma Processes, Inc. Huntsville, AL, United States)
Ray, C. S.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 22, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2005
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Meeting Information
Meeting: 1st Space Exploration Conference: Continuing the Voyage of Discovery
Location: Orlando, FL
Country: United States
Start Date: January 30, 2005
End Date: February 1, 2005
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS8-02096
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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