Thermodynamics and Kinetics of the Dehydroxylation of Hydrous Minerals

摘要

In order to design facilities for the thermal extraction of water from possible hydrous minerals on the moon, information concerning the pressure-temperature dehy dration curves, the enthalpies of reaction, and the reaction kinetics is necessary so that optimum values can be chosen for such variables as (1) geometry and size of the furnace. (2) time, temperature and pressure of water vapor for dehydration, and (3) particle size of the hydrous mineral or rock. Using thermogravimetry at low pressures of water vapor, and differential thermal analysis at water vapor pressures ranging from 15 psi to 10,000 psi, the thermodynamics and kinetics of water extraction from serpentine, brucite, kaolinite, dickite, and halloysite were studied.