Novel Methods of Metals Processing
AssigneePioneer Astronautics
InventorsMark Berggren, Robert Zubrin, Jonathan David Rasmussen
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Abstract
Novel methods for the production of iron, silicon, and magnesium metal from extraterrestrial and terrestrial resources are described. The methods employ processing steps including metal oxide reduction using carbon monoxide, carbon, hydrogen, and methane. Methods to prepare, regenerate, and recycle reductants to minimize mining and purchase of fresh materials and to minimize carbon emissions are included.
Claims27
A process for the production of metallic iron comprising,
- a) Preparation and regeneration of carbon monoxide reductant from carbon dioxide via the reverse water gas shift reaction,
- b) Production of hydrogen for the reverse water gas shift reaction by water electrolysis,
- c) Reduction of oxide minerals of iron by carbon monoxide, carbon, hydrogen, or methane to form said iron product.
A process for the production of silicon comprising,
- a) Production of carbon reductant from carbon monoxide,
- b) Reduction of silicon dioxide by carbon to form said silicon product, and;
- c) Recovery of carbon monoxide from silicon dioxide reduction with subsequent regeneration of carbon reductant from carbon monoxide via the reverse water gas shift, Boudouard, and water electrolysis reactions.
A process for production of metallic magnesium comprising,
- a) Carbothermal reduction of oxide minerals of silicon to form metallic silicon or ferrosilicon, and;
- b) Reduction of magnesium by silicon.
A process for production of metallic magnesium comprising,
- a) Carbothermal reduction of magnesium-oxide-containing feeds in vacuum, and
- b) Ionization of produced magnesium metal vapors, and
- c) Separation of ionized magnesium metal vapors from carbon monoxide gas via a magnetic field, and
- d) Collection of magnesium metal on a grounded, chilled plate with simultaneous collection of carbon monoxide via a vacuum pump.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.