| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2025 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Materials Processing Fundamentals: Thermodynamics and Rate Phenomena
|
| Presentation Title |
Metals extraction on Mars through carbothermic reduction: thermodynamic calculation and experimental result |
| Author(s) |
Deddy C. Nababan, Mark I Pownceby, M. Akbar Rhamdhani |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Deddy C. Nababan |
| Abstract Scope |
In-situ resource utilization (ISRU), particularly the extraction and production of structural metals is crucial for supporting further exploration on Mars. Martian regolith can potentially be utilized as the primary source of key metals. Previous studies have suggested that carbothermal reduction is the most feasible technique to produce metals on Mars considering the accessibility of CO2 (96%) in the atmosphere as a carbon source.
A synthetic Mars regolith was used in this study. Thermodynamic calculations conducted using FactSage 8.2 thermochemical package predicted the conversion of all Fe from 100g regolith into a liquid Fe (alloy) when reacted with 6g carbon at 1200℃ under the pressure of 7 mbar, the typical Mars ambient pressure. Experiments using a mixture of synthetic regolith and graphite heated at high temperatures in a pressure and temperature-controlled furnace showed the formation of multiple phase-slag and a liquid iron-based alloy with Si present as the main alloying element. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Pyrometallurgy, Iron and Steel, Other |