Abstract
The development of in situ resource utilization (ISRU) for metal extraction is imperative as a steppingstone for habitation construction in lunar and non-terrestrial environments. Separation of minerals by chemical composition is important to optimize metal and oxygen liberation from lunar ore. to this effect, devices capable of separating aluminum bearing minerals from iron-bearing minerals from the lunar regolith simulants have been developed. Twenty-eight different simulants have been used in this study. a dual-belt separator was designed to reduce middlings. Para-magnetic minerals were reliably separated using a neodymium N52-magnet-separator system. Effective separation of aluminum-bearing minerals from iron-bearing minerals was greater than 72% in all experimental runs. Larger grain size, lower agglutinate content, and very low free iron content improved magnetic separation of lunar regolith simulants.
Recommended Citation
P. Bachle et al., "Magnetic Separation of Lunar Regolith Simulants with Applications to in Situ Resource Utilization on the Moon," Earth and Space 2024: Engineering for Extreme Environments - Proceedings of the 19th Biennial International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments, pp. 251 - 259, American Society of Civil Engineers, Jan 2024.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784485736.023
Department(s)
Materials Science and Engineering
Second Department
Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Third Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Fourth Department
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
International Standard Book Number (ISBN)
978-078448573-6
Document Type
Article - Conference proceedings
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2025 American Society of Civil Engineers, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 Jan 2024
Included in
Ceramic Materials Commons, Chemical Engineering Commons, Curriculum and Instruction Commons, Educational Administration and Supervision Commons, Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons, Educational Leadership Commons, Educational Methods Commons, Mechanical Engineering Commons, Space Habitation and Life Support Commons, Space Vehicles Commons, Structures and Materials Commons
Comments
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Grant None