Self-Contained and Self-Powered Condensation System for Reclamation ofWater from Lunar Regolith Processing

摘要

A self-contained and self-powered subsystem for reclaiming water from the byproducts ofcarbothermal processing of lunar regolith is described. Gas dynamic expansion processes,facilitated by the availability of low temperatures and pressures specific to the lunarenvironment, are employed to condense and reclaim water vapor. The space-ready systemrequirements of small size, low mass, reliability, and minimal power demand are alladdressed by the complete subsystem component technology discussed. The approach isapplicable to other in situ lunar processing techniques, such as hydrogen reduction ofIlmenite. In addition, the approach is applicable to the general case of separation of othervolatile lunar product gases arising from various extraction techniques.