High Vacuum Solar Thermal Dissociation for Metal and Oxide Extraction

The current interest in space-based mineral and metal extraction technologies, and the increased likelihood of establishing research facilities on the lunar surface, provides a strong impetus for high vacuum metallurgical research. The current work examines the viability of a thermal dissociationThermal dissociation process for metal and metal oxide extraction from beneficiated and un-beneficiated lunar feedstocks. Thermal dissociationThermal dissociation experiments using lunar regolith simulants and pure oxide samples were performed using a bespoke apparatus involving a vacuum reactor coupled with a solar simulator heat source. Specific focus was given to sub-liquidus operation and the sublimation of metal oxides under low temperature and low vacuum conditions. The thermodynamic and kinetic considerations, as well as the practical demonstration of such a process, are also discussed. This work demonstrates the potential of utilising the natural high vacuum conditions on the Moon for developing novel high vacuum extraction processes.