NASA 1996 STTR Phase I
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Proposal Number:
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960093
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Project Title:
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CO-PRODUCTION OF METALS AND OXYGEN FROM LUNAR RESOURCES
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Small Business Concern:
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EMEC Consultants
4221 Roundtop Rd.
Export, PA 15632
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Research Institution:
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University of Arizona
Dept of Aerospace & Mechanical Enginee
College of Engineering and Mines
Tucson, AZ 85721
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Principal Investigator/Project Manager:
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Rudolf Keller
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Technical Abstract:
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The proposed effort targets to maximize the utility of lunar
processing of indigenous resources by co-producing oxygen and
metals. Various process concepts will be evaluated in Phase
I, applying a methodology developed at the University of
Arizona. Major process candidates are the electrolysis of
dissolved oxides, the electrolysis of molten silicates (magma
electrolysis), electrolysis of iron oxide, and reduction of
iron oxide with carbon monoxide. EMEC Consultants will
cooperate in the assessment of merits and will conduct
pertinent preliminary experiments. Laboratory studies on one
or two processes will follow in Phase II.
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Potential Commercial Applications:
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Production of propellants and structural materials on a
commercial basis in space, for space missions and solar power
satellites. Spin-off technologies for electrometallurgical
processing and the treatment of nuclear and other waste.