Lunar hydrogen extractionThis paper examines the power and mass requirements of a lunar hydrogen extraction plant producing five metric tons of hydrogen per year. These power and mass requirements are based upon experimental work that determined gaseous hydrogen release rates from lunar samples at various heating rates and temperatures. An optimum heating temperature and rate can be selected to minimize the processing plant's power and mass requirements. The impact of thermal recovery on the power and mass requirements is studied, as is the use of nuclear waste heat for processing the regolith. In addition, the potential of using the extracted hydrogen in the form of methane as a propellant for a Lunar Excursion Vehicle is examined.
Document ID
19920037986
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Snaufer, M. J. (Eagle Engineering, Inc. Houston, TX, United States)
Alred, J. W. (Eagle Engineering, Inc. Houston, TX, United States)