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2023 Vol.60, Issue 6 Preview Page

Research Paper

Current Status of Electrostatic Concentration Techniques for In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) on the Moon

달에서의 현지자원활용(ISRU)을 위한 정전선별기술 연구 동향

Seungsoo Park1*
,
Byung-Hyun Ryu1
,
Hyu-Soung Shin1
박 승수1*
,
유 병현1
,
신 휴성1
1Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, Goyang, Korea
1한국건설기술연구원
*Corresponding Author
31 December 2023. pp. 490-503
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Abstract

For sustainable space development, it is vital that missions be able to apply In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) methods. Among ISRU priorities is the production of oxygen from lunar regolith. Electrostatic separation as a pre-treatment for oxygen production from regolith, focusing on high-purity ilmenite extraction, is highly regarded for its adaptability to the Moon’s extreme conditions of low gravity and high vacuum. This paper investigates the potential of electrostatic separation processes on the Moon, exploring lunar environmental characteristics, lunar regolith simulant concepts, and current development. It also highlights global research trends on electrostatic separation in lunar environments and suggests relevant research topics for South Korea.

Keywords
moon
in-situ resources utilization
lunar regolith simulant
electrostatic separation
ilmenite

지속 가능한 우주 개발을 위해서는 현지 자원 활용(ISRU) 개념이 포함된 미션 수행이 필수적이다. 달의 월면토에서 산소를 생산하는 기술은 ISRU의 매우 중요한 연구주제 중 하나이다. 월면토로부터 산소 생산을 위한 전처리 공정으로써의 정전선별은 티탄철석의 고순도화에 관련되어 주목받고 있으며, 달의 극한 환경인 저중력과 고진공에서 적용 가능성이 높은 기술로 평가되고 있다. 이 논문에서는 달에서의 정전선별 공정의 가능성을 살펴보기 위해 달의 환경 특성, 인공 월면토의 개념, 및 개발 사례를 조사하였다. 더불어 세계적으로 진행 중인 달 환경을 고려한 정전선별 연구 사례를 소개하였고, 우리나라의 연구 환경을 고려하여 관련 연구 주제를 제안하였다.

키워드
달
현지자원활용
인공월면토
정전선별
티탄철석
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Information
  • Publisher :The Korean Society of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineers
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국자원공학회
  • Journal Title :Journal of the Korean Society of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineers
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국자원공학회지
  • Volume : 60
  • No :6
  • Pages :490-503
  • Received Date : 2023-11-07
  • Revised Date : 2023-12-09
  • Accepted Date : 2023-12-27
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.32390/ksmer.2023.60.6.490
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