Extraterrestrial Mining Via Two Coupled Thermal-Driven Phenomena

Le résumé fourni par la source

Two-coupled thermal-driven phenomena, the Marangoni effect and thermal fractional decomposition under high vacuum, observed by the authors could lead to an extraterrestrial mining operation that would significantly reduce mechanical operation and allow in-situ product extraction directly from the mineral without the necessity of either mineral beneficiation or use of terrestrial precursors. Thermal Marangoni effect alone and coupled with fractional decomposition have been corroborated through paths of 10 and 13 inches respectively on molten JSC-1A lunar regolith simulant. These two coupled phenomena (self-transportation via the Marangoni effect and fractional decomposition at a higher temperature) present a novel and valuable potential for extraterrestrial mining as the observed outcome will be more prominent on extraterrestrial surfaces under higher vacuum and reduced gravity. A comprehensive 3D model built by the authors demonstrated to be a crucial tool to determine the right location of the sample to optimize the gradient temperature along the wall of a long tubular crucible enhancing the Marangoni effect as surface tension (the driving force for the thermal Marangoni effect) depends on the temperature gradient.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.