Lunar regolith reduction reactor system and method of processing lunar regolith

A method of processing lunar regolith using a lunar regolith reduction reactor system comprising a housing comprising a base structure, a cover structure detachably connected to said base structure, a gas input port to permit input of hydrogen gas into said housing, and a gas output port to permit outgassing of water vapor and gases;

• a crucible configured to hold an amount of lunar regolith in said housing;
• and a pair of electrodes disposed apart from one another and adjacent said crucible, wherein said electrodes are connectable to a power source to generate an electric arc to heat lunar regolith in said crucible and initiate a reduction reaction to separate oxygen gas and reduce separated material into a molten state, said method comprising the steps of:
• placing an amount of lunar regolith in said crucible that has not been sorted or filtered;
• connecting said cover structure to said base structure;
• inserting said pair of electrodes into the lunar regolith;
• supplying hydrogen gas into said housing via said gas input port;
• generating an electric arc and heating the lunar regolith in said crucible and initiating a reduction reaction to separate oxygen gas and thereby reduce separated material into a molten state;
• removing and storing water vapor and gases from said housing via said gas output port;
• and
• removing molten lunar regolith from said crucible.

A lunar regolith reduction reactor system comprising:

• a housing comprising a base structure, a cover structure detachably connected to said base structure, a gas input port to permit input of hydrogen gas into said housing, and a gas output port to permit outgassing of water vapor and gases, wherein:
• said base structure is in sealing engagement with said cover structure;
• said housing comprises a connecting arrangement to removably connect together said base structure and said cover structure;
• a crucible configured to hold an amount of lunar regolith in said housing, wherein said crucible comprises a concave dish mounted on or integrally formed with said base structure;
• a pair of electrodes disposed apart from one another and adjacent said crucible, wherein said electrodes are connectable to a power source to generate an electric arc to heat lunar regolith in said crucible and initiate a reduction reaction to separate oxygen gas and reduce separated material into a molten state, wherein each of said electrodes comprises an elongated rod;
• a drive assembly rotatably supporting said electrodes to circulate said electrodes through and thereby stir lunar regolith in said crucible, wherein:
• said drive assembly comprises a support plate rotatably mounted on said cover structure and operatively connected to said electrodes;
• said drive assembly comprises a ring gear disposed about an orifice in an upper portion of said cover structure and ring gear motors mounted on said support plate and in engagement with said ring gear to rotate said support plate;
• said drive assembly comprises a slip ring assembly operatively connecting said power source and said electrodes;
• a solar power source or a nuclear power source;
• and
• a pump assembly and a hydrogen tank connected to said gas input port, a condenser and electrolysis unit connected to said gas output port, and an oxygen tank, each operatively connected by said pump assembly.