Difference between revisions of "Atmospheric processing"
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| − | + | '''Atmospheric processing''' is the process of extracting substances out of the Martian [[atmosphere]] and use them 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. | |
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== Collection of atmosphere == | == Collection of atmosphere == | ||
| − | A device similar to a vacuum pump collects Martian air. | + | A device similar to a vacuum pump collects Martian air. The gas is compressed to be able to liquefy carbon dioxide. |
===Distillation=== | ===Distillation=== | ||
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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 CO<sub>2</sub> will be discharged. | 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 CO<sub>2</sub> will be discharged. | ||
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===Buffer gas for breathing=== | ===Buffer gas for breathing=== | ||
| − | The balance of the | + | The balance of the remaining gas contains mostly [[nitrogen]] and [[argon]] which can be used as mixed as a buffer for oxygen to produce a breathable atmosphere. Carbon monoxide can be catalytically removed. |
===Nitrogen and argon=== | ===Nitrogen and argon=== | ||
| − | [[Nitrogen]] can be separated out for use as ammonia and nitrates in fertilizer and as nitric acid in industry. | + | [[Nitrogen]] can be separated out for use as ammonia and nitrates in fertilizer and as nitric acid in industry. [[Argon]] is useful for industrial processes that must be performed in an inert atmosphere. |
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| + | ==Wanted Substances== | ||
| + | ===Dust=== | ||
| + | The Martian [[atmosphere]] contains variable amounts of [[dust]], which consists of similar [[minerals]] like [[regolith]]. Electro-static filters may be used to collect the dust. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===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. | ||
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| + | ===Carbon Dioxide=== | ||
| + | [[Carbon dioxide]] is the main part of the Martian atmosphere with 96 %. It can be used for the [[hydrocarbon synthesis]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==See also== | ||
| + | *[[Mining]] | ||
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[[Category:ISRU]] | [[Category:ISRU]] | ||
| + | [[category: geology]] | ||
| + | [[category: material]] | ||
Revision as of 02:23, 9 March 2016
Atmospheric processing is the process of extracting substances out of the Martian atmosphere and use them 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 device similar to a vacuum pump collects Martian air. The gas is compressed to be able to liquefy carbon dioxide.
Distillation
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.
Buffer gas for breathing
The balance of the remaining gas contains mostly nitrogen and argon which can be used as mixed as a buffer for oxygen to produce a breathable atmosphere. Carbon monoxide can be catalytically removed.
Nitrogen and argon
Nitrogen can be separated out for use as ammonia and nitrates in fertilizer and as nitric acid in industry. Argon is useful for industrial processes that must be performed in an inert atmosphere.
Wanted Substances
Dust
The Martian atmosphere contains variable amounts of dust, which consists of similar minerals like regolith. Electro-static filters may be used to collect the dust.
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.
Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide is the main part of the Martian atmosphere with 96 %. It can be used for the hydrocarbon synthesis.
