Difference between revisions of "Atmospheric processing"
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'''Atmospheric processing''' describes the extraction of substances out of the Martian [[atmosphere]] and the usage as raw material for further processing. Unlike surface and sub-surface mining, the atmospheric mining does not require the movement of large amounts of [[regolith]] or rock with heavy machinery, nor is expensive transport per [[rover]] or [[railroad]] necessary. The atmosphere can simply be sucked in through a pipe at every location, and the processing is done inside of [[building]]s. Also, the maintenance of all the mining machinery is in-house, which is a major safety advantage. | '''Atmospheric processing''' describes the extraction of substances out of the Martian [[atmosphere]] and the usage as raw material for further processing. Unlike surface and sub-surface mining, the atmospheric mining does not require the movement of large amounts of [[regolith]] or rock with heavy machinery, nor is expensive transport per [[rover]] or [[railroad]] necessary. The atmosphere can simply be sucked in through a pipe at every location, and the processing is done inside of [[building]]s. Also, the maintenance of all the mining machinery is in-house, which is a major safety advantage. | ||
Revision as of 17:31, 17 April 2019
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Atmospheric processing describes the extraction of substances out of the Martian atmosphere and the usage as raw material for further processing. Unlike surface and sub-surface mining, the atmospheric mining does not require the movement of large amounts of regolith or rock with heavy machinery, nor is expensive transport per rover or railroad necessary. The atmosphere can simply be sucked in through a pipe at every location, and the processing is done inside of buildings. Also, the maintenance of all the mining machinery is in-house, which is a major safety advantage.
Contents
Collection of Atmosphere
A fan collects martian atmosphere and passes it through filters to separate out the dust. Then a compressor compresses the clean gases to the liquefaction point of CO2. The liquid CO2 is removed, and the rest of the gas is cooled further, to condense as well for separation.
Process
Compression
Compression above 5,19 bar (520 kPa) allows the liquefaction of carbon dioxide. The liquid carbon dioxide can be separated by gravity from other gasses. The initial martian atmospheric pressure is approximately 600 Pa, so the compression ratio from 600 to 520 000 Pa is about 860 times.
Condensation
The atmosphere is cooled to remove water vapor as a condensate. As the gas continues to cool most of the rest of the water vapor is removed as frost. The dry gas is cooled further to remove carbon dioxide condensate. There will be more carbon dioxide than is needed for industrial purposes so some of it will be expanded to help power the compressors and to cool the incoming gas. Then excess CO2 will be discharged.
Results
Dust
The Martian atmosphere contains variable amounts of dust, which consists of similar minerals like regolith. Electrostatic filters or other technologies will be used to remove the dust to prevent it from damaging the equipment.
Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide is the main part of the Martian atmosphere with 96 %. It can be used for the hydrocarbon synthesis, including the production of methane based fuel.
Water
The 0.03 % water vapor (H2O) is equivalent to about 10 % air humidity after adiabatic compression and cooling to around 1°C. A device similar to an air dehumidifier can be used to extract this water.
Nitrogen
The balance of the remaining gas after carbon dioxide condensation contains mostly nitrogen and argon. This mixture can serve as a buffer for oxygen to produce a breathable atmosphere. remaining traces of Carbon monoxide must be catalytically removed if the gas is to be used for the settlement atmosphere.
Nitrogen can be used to create ammonia and nitrates in fertilizer and as nitric acid in industry.
Argon
Argon is useful for industrial processes that must be performed in an inert atmosphere, as is Argon.
