About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2027 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Materials and Manufacturing in Space
|
| Presentation Title |
In-Situ Iron Extraction on Mars Through Carbothermal Smelting: Effects of reduced Pressure and Total Carbon Addition |
| Author(s) |
Deddy C. Nababan, Mark Pownceby, Aaron Torpy, M. Akbar Rhamdhani |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Deddy C. Nababan |
| Abstract Scope |
The advancement of in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) technology is crucial for sustaining extended habitation on Mars, where iron production is a fundamental aspect of constructing the infrastructure to support human operations. Martian regolith containing ~19 wt.% “FeO” could serve as the iron source.Previous research using Martian regolith simulant proposed that employing carbothermal reduction is a feasible route for iron production on Mars, considering the availability of carbon in the atmosphere. However, the influence of reduced pressure on Mars on the smelting mechanism of the simulant has not been investigated.This current experimental work determined that smelting at a pressure of ~10 mbar (the average pressure on Mars) significantly influenced the reduction mechanism and iron yield of metallic iron. Increasing the amount of carbon added to the simulant decreased the amount of unreduced iron in the slag. The results of the experimental study aligned with previous thermodynamic assessments of the system. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Pyrometallurgy, Iron and Steel, |