Physics
Scientific paper
Jul 1995
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1995jgr...10014391c&link_type=abstract
Journal of Geophysical Research, Volume 100, Issue E7, p. 14391-14402
Physics
9
Physical Properties Of Rocks: Magnetic And Electrical Properties, Planetology: Solid Surface Planets: Impact Phenomena (Includes Cratering), Mineralogy And Petrology: General Or Miscellaneous, Planetology: Solid Surface Planets: Surface Materials And Properties
Scientific paper
Efficient lunar resource utilization requires accurate and quantitative evaluation of mineral and glass abundances, distribution, and extraction feasibility, especially for ilmenite. With this in mind, true modal analyses were performed on high-Ti mare basalts and soils with X ray/backscattered electron signal digital-imaging techniques, and these data indicate that (1) ilmenite concentrations are similar for basalts and immature-submature soils with similar TiO2 content; (2) ilmenite liberation of crushed mare basalts and immature-submature mare soils are comparable (i.e., both contain similar amounts of free ilmenite); and (3) because of impact melting and agglutination of primary minerals, mature mare soils contain less ilmenite (both free and attached). Modal analyses of magnetic separates of high-Ti mare basalts and soils show that (1) ilmenite was concentrated by a factor of >=3.3 and (2) soil ilmenite was concentrated to factors of 1.7-2.3. The lower soil ilmenite separation efficiency is attributed to Fe°-bearing agglutinitic glass and amorphous rinds adhered to soil particles. Mass yields of magnetically generated feedstocks were generally less than 5 wt.% in most cases. Calculation of oxygen yield (as released by hydrogen gas reduction of ilmenite) show that (1) beneficiated basalt will provide the most oxygen (8-10%), because of higher ilmenite concentration; (2) reduction of raw immature-submature mare soils and basalts will produce similar amounts of lunar liquid oxygen (LLOX) (2.1-3.1%) and (3) raw Fe-rich pyroclastic soil, 74220, will provide more oxygen (5.4%) than beneficiated high-Ti mare soils and half that of beneficiated high-Ti mare basalts. High-Ti mare soils are attractive resources for lunar liquid oxygen (LLOX) production because of their unconsolidated nature, high ilmenite abundance, and widespread occurrence. Energy-intensive excavation and comminution likely prohibits the basalt mining during early lunar occupation. Orange soils are important resources for LLOX and various volatile elements, but slower reaction kinetics and glass sintering pose potential difficulties for large-scale operations.
Chambers John G.
McKay David S.
Patchen Allan
Taylor Lawrence A.
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