SUMMARY

The focus of the proposed research is to determine the feasibility of using concentrated solar irradiation as a method for extracting H2O from lunar H2O(s) deposits. The potential source of lunar H2O(s), found in the permanently shadowed regions (PSRs), and related extraction using solar thermal energy form the focal points of this investigation. The research leverages concentrated solar irradiation, supplemented by an indirect radiation receiver (IRR) for optimal heat transfer, to explore H2O extraction. Initial investigations examined H2O(v) transport through Lunar Mare Simulant (LMS-1) and Lunar Highland Simulant (LHS-1), yielding a diffusion model indispensable for in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) technology development. A specialized reaction chamber was designed to replicate lunar surface conditions, allowing for experimental irradiation of simulant packed beds with a high-flux solar simulator (HFSS). Various parameters, including solar concentration levels, H2O(s) content, overlying dry simulant layer thickness, and simulant type, were analyzed using an L18 orthogonal array experimental design. Transient computational models are proposed to be created in parallel, simulating the heat and mass transfer phenomena and providing valuable insights for optimizing the system design. The employment of cutting-edge X-ray tomography scans facilitated the development of detailed 3D packed bed models for use in Ansys Fluent. These investigations confirm the viability of solar thermal energy in extracting H2O(v) from lunar soil simulants, laying the foundation for future research into lunar regolith H2O thermal extraction, a crucial endeavor for sustainable long-term space exploration.