|
Search | Add a publication |
| ID No : | 982 Edit | Title: | Sintering of Lunar and Simulant Glass |
| Summary / Review : | "Most oxygen-extraction techniques are temperature-dependent, with higher temperatures resulting in higher oxygen yield. An example is hydrogen reduction, in which the optimum process temperature is 1050 C. However, glass-rich lunar soil begins to show the effects of sintering at temperatures of 900 C or lower. Sintering welds particles together due to viscous relaxation of the glass in the sample. One approach to avoid problems related to sintering, such as difficulty in removing waste material from the reactor, is to keep the soil in motion. One of several methods being studied to accomplish this is fluidized-bed processing techniques, in which the grains are kept in motion by the action of flowing reductant gas. The spent material can be removed from the chamber while still fluidized, or the fluidizing motion can continue until the material has cooled below approx. 500 C. Until end-to-end prototypes are built that can remove the heated soil, the most practical option is to keep the bed fluidized while cooling the waste material. As ISRU technology advances, another option will become valuable, which is to intentionally sinter the material to a great enough extent that it becomes a brick. The free iron in lunar soil is magnetic, and ferromagnetic bricks can be manipulated by robotic systems using electromagnetic end effectors. Finally, if an electromagnetic field is applied to the soil while the brick is being formed, the brick itself will become a magnet. This property can be used to create self-aligning bricks or other building materials that do not require fasteners. Although sintering creates a challenge for early lunar surface systems, knowledge gained during prototype development will be valuable for the advanced lunar outpost." (Author's abstract) |
| Author(s) : |
Cooper, Bonnie L., [Johnson Space Center] |
| Publication Date: | 2007 |
| Category(s) : |
Bases, industry and manufacturing / Resource processing and outputs / Sintering Bases, industry and manufacturing / Resource processing and outputs / Zz uncategorized |
| Progress Type: | A ( A=Analysis only, D=Design, T=Testing, C=Completed or Commercial product ) |
| Web URL : |
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20070030826
If this link is broken, please Add Comment below. We try to keep author contact details, and a backup copy in our offline library. |
| PERMANENT code(s) : | L,U |
|
(Explanation of the last 3 rows above) |
In the row above, there are up to 4 possibilities: U = URL you can click on to get a copy instantly from another source on the internet, or request it from that source D = Downloadable from PERMANENT (such as because no other URL known...) L = LAN copy, PERMANENT has a digital copy but not downloadable from our website P = Paper copy in the PERMANENT office Typically, only 0 to 3 methods are available. |
| NTRS : | 20070030826 |
| Submitted by : | MEP |
| Comments: |
Please add your thoughtful Comments to this paper after reading it. All comments are reviewed and approved before being posted publicly below. If you wish to submit a private comment to the curator, instead of a public comment, just write "Private" at the start of your comment. Corrections and suggested additions to our records are appreciated. |
Add Comment |