A lunar soil in-situ forming device and forming method based on alkali activation technology

Abstract

The application discloses a lunar soil in-situ forming device and forming method based on alkali excitation technology, and belongs to the technical field of lunar base construction, wherein the forming device comprises an openable top cover, a stirrer motor, stirrer blades, a mould pressing device, a rotary switch unit, an alkali liquor storage cavity, a solidification forming cavity, an openable bottom cover, a metal shell and an interface. The forming device and the forming method are suitable for in-situ construction on the moon, simple to operate, small in energy demand, and can fully utilize in-situ lunar soil solidification to prepare lunar soil bricks and other basic components for lunar surface construction, thereby providing a basis for realizing large-scale lunar surface building groups.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of lunar base construction, and more specifically, relates to a lunar soil in-situ forming device and forming method based on alkali activation technology. Background Technology

[0002] The moon is a starting point for humankind's exploration of deep space. my country's "National Medium- and Long-Term Science and Technology Development Plan Outline" clearly includes manned spaceflight and lunar exploration projects in the national major science and technology projects.

[0003] However, transporting the large quantities of raw materials needed to build a lunar base from Earth to the Moon would be costly and time-consuming. Since the Moon possesses abundant resources, the concept of In-Situ Space Resource Utilization (ISRU) has emerged, employing lunar soil in-situ forming technology for lunar base construction.

[0004] Alkali activation technology is a promising manufacturing method that meets the needs of unmanned and automated construction on the lunar surface. Although research on alkali activation simulation of lunar soil formation on Earth is feasible, lunar alkali activation lunar soil formation faces many extreme conditions, such as low gravity, ultra-vacuum, and high and low temperature environments on the lunar surface. Therefore, designing a lightweight, efficient, and energy-saving alkali activation lunar soil formation device is of great theoretical and technical significance. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In response to the need for improvement in existing technologies, this invention provides a lunar soil in-situ forming device and forming method based on alkali activation technology. By using its own alkali activation material and adopting automated, unmanned remote operation, it can solidify lunar soil in-situ into lunar soil bricks and other basic components for lunar construction, thereby realizing lightweight and energy-saving manufacturing of lunar buildings.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, according to one aspect of the present invention, the present invention first provides a lunar soil in-situ forming device based on alkali activation technology. The forming device includes a box body, which is composed of an openable top cover, an openable bottom cover, and a metal shell. Multiple identical lunar soil forming units are uniformly arranged in the vertical direction inside the box body. Each lunar soil forming unit includes a molding device and a solidification forming cavity shell located below the molding device. The outer surface of the molding device and the solidification forming cavity surface inside the solidification forming cavity shell are slidably connected.

[0007] The molding device includes a rotary switch unit and a lunar soil mixing unit. The rotary switch unit is sealed to the inner surface of the molding device. When closed, the rotary switch unit forms the bottom of a mixing space that accommodates the lunar soil mixing unit. The mixing space is used to mix at least lunar soil and an alkaline solution.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the lunar soil mixing unit includes a stirrer motor, a stirring shaft, and stirrer blades connected in sequence from top to bottom.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the length ratio of the molding device to the solidification cavity shell in the vertical direction is 1:1 to 1.2:1.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the rotary switch unit includes a first rotary valve and a second rotary valve that are spaced apart from top to bottom and rotate horizontally. The first valve is used to form the bottom of the mixing space accommodating the lunar soil mixing unit when it is closed, and the second valve is used to form the bottom of the molding device when it is closed.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the interval is used to form an alkaline solution storage chamber when both the first rotary valve and the second rotary valve are in the closed state, the alkaline solution storage chamber being used to store alkaline solution and Earth's air.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the alkaline solution occupies 80%-90% of the space in the alkaline solution storage chamber.

[0013] Preferably, the metal casing is provided with an interface for receiving energy and signals, which are used to control the automatic operation of the molding device.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, the present invention also provides a method for in-situ shaping of lunar soil using the above-described device, comprising the following steps:

[0015] Step 1: Keep the first rotary valve open and the second valve closed to store the alkaline solution and air. After storage is complete, close the first rotary valve.

[0016] Step 2: Collect lunar surface soil, open the closable top cover, put the lunar soil into the mixing space of multiple lunar soil forming units, close the top cover, and invert the lunar soil in-situ forming device.

[0017] Step 3: Open the first rotary valve to allow the alkaline solution to fall into the lunar soil, and turn on the stirrer to allow the lunar soil and the alkaline solution containing air to react fully.

[0018] Step 4: Turn the lunar soil in-situ forming device over again, open the second rotary valve, and let the lunar soil mixture that has completed the reaction fall into the solidification forming chamber under the action of lunar gravity.

[0019] Step 5: Close the second rotary valve and control the molding device to move downwards until the lunar soil mixture is compacted to obtain a lunar soil molded body;

[0020] Step six: Open the hinged bottom cover, control the molding device to continue molding downwards, press the lunar soil molded body out of the solidification cavity and demold, then let it stand for curing.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present invention, after step one and before step two, the lunar landing attitude of the lunar soil in-situ forming device is further included by scanning the topography of the lunar surface and adjusting the lunar landing attitude based on the scanning results.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the alkaline solution is one of sodium hydroxide solution, sodium carbonate solution or potassium hydroxide solution.

[0023] In summary, compared with the prior art, the above-described technical solutions conceived by this invention can achieve the following beneficial effects:

[0024] 1. The forming device of the present invention has a top cover and a bottom cover with good sealing performance, which can isolate the internal environment of the device from the outside world and facilitate the filling of lunar soil and demolding. In addition, multiple lunar soil forming units are arranged side by side in the forming device, which greatly improves the forming efficiency. Based on the automatic control technology, it can realize unmanned and automated in-situ forming of lunar soil on the lunar surface.

[0025] 2. The present invention installs two rotary valves in the middle of the lunar soil forming unit. On the one hand, the alkaline solution and a certain amount of air are sealed between the valves to prevent the alkaline solution from evaporating when filling the lunar soil. On the other hand, the sealed air can not only prevent the volatilization of the alkaline solution caused by the lunar vacuum environment, but also slow down the reaction rate between the alkaline solution and the lunar soil, so that the two are fully mixed.

[0026] 3. The forming method of the present invention can smoothly mix lunar soil and alkali solution by repeatedly inverting the forming device and opening and closing the valve. The resulting mixture then falls smoothly into the solidification forming cavity. After opening / closing the rotary valve, it can also serve as the pressure head of the support / molding device for the mixing storage space, which saves the internal space of the lunar soil forming unit and improves the demolding efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the lunar soil in-situ forming device of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a single lunar soil forming unit in the lunar soil in-situ forming device of the present invention.

[0029] The attached figures are labeled as follows: 1. Openable top cover, 2. Molding device, 3. Stirrer motor, 4. Stirrer blade, 5. Rotary switch unit, 6. Alkali storage chamber, 7. Solidification and forming chamber, 8. Solidification and forming chamber shell, 9. Openable bottom cover, 10. Metal shell, 11. Interface. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, the technical features involved in the various embodiments of the invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other. The following are specific embodiments:

[0031] Example 1

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, an unmanned lunar soil in-situ forming device with its own alkali-activated material and a nine-month lunar soil in-situ forming device based on alkali-activated technology are disclosed. The forming device includes a box body, which is composed of an openable top cover 1, an openable bottom cover 9, and a metal shell 10. Nine identical lunar soil forming units are evenly arranged in a 3×3 pattern in the vertical direction inside the box body.

[0033] The lunar soil forming unit consists of a molding device 2 and a solidification cavity shell 8 located below it. The shaded portion is the molding device 2, and the remainder is the solidification cavity shell 8. Both the molding device 2 and the solidification cavity shell 8 are cylindrical structures. The outer surface of the molding device 2 and the surface of the solidification cavity 7 inside the solidification cavity shell 8 are slidably connected. The length ratio of the molding device 2 to the solidification cavity shell 8 in the vertical direction is 1.2:1. Figure 2 As shown;

[0034] The metal casing 9 is provided with an interface 11 for receiving energy and signals, which are used to control the automatic operation of the molding device 2. The molding device 2 includes a rotary switch unit 5 and a lunar soil mixing unit. The rotary switch unit 5 is sealed to the inner surface of the molding device 2. The rotary switch unit 5 includes a first rotary valve and a second rotary valve that are spaced apart from top to bottom and rotate horizontally. The first valve is used to form the bottom of the mixing space for accommodating the lunar soil mixing unit when it is closed. The lunar soil mixing unit consists of a stirrer motor 3, a stirring shaft, and a stirrer blade 4 connected in sequence from top to bottom. The second valve is used to form the bottom of the molding device 2 when it is closed. The spaced space is used to form an alkali storage chamber 6 when both the first and second rotary valves are closed. The alkali storage chamber 6 is used to store sodium hydroxide solution and Earth air in advance before the lunar landing. The volume ratio of sodium hydroxide solution to Earth air in the alkali storage chamber is 4:1.

[0035] The main working mode of this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0036] Step 1: Keep the first rotary valve open and the second valve closed by rotating it. Add sodium hydroxide solution into the space between the first and second rotary valves. When the solution reaches 4 / 5 of the height, close the first rotary valve.

[0037] Step 2: Scan the topography of the lunar surface and adjust the bottom of the lunar soil in-situ forming device to be parallel to the lunar surface based on the scanning results. After landing, collect the lunar surface soil, open the closable top cover, put the lunar soil into the mixing space of multiple lunar soil forming units, close the top cover, and invert the lunar soil in-situ forming device.

[0038] Step 3: Open the first rotary valve to allow the sodium hydroxide solution to fall into the lunar soil, and turn on the stirrer to allow the lunar soil and the sodium hydroxide solution containing air to react fully for 0.5-2 hours;

[0039] Step 4: Turn the lunar soil in-situ forming device over again, open the second valve, and let the lunar soil mixture that has completed the reaction fall into the solidification forming chamber under the action of lunar gravity.

[0040] Step 5: Close the second rotary valve and control the molding device to move downwards until the lunar soil mixture is compacted to obtain a lunar soil molded body;

[0041] Step 6: Open the closable bottom cover, control the molding device to continue molding downwards, press the lunar soil molded body out of the solidification cavity and demold, and let it stand for 1-12 hours for curing.

[0042] The above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical concept and features of the present invention, and are intended to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of the present invention and implement it accordingly. They should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. All equivalent changes or modifications made in accordance with the spirit and essence of the present invention should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A lunar soil in-situ forming device based on alkali activation technology, characterized in that, include: The box body is composed of an openable top cover, an openable bottom cover, and a metal shell. Multiple identical lunar soil forming units are evenly arranged in the vertical direction inside the box body. Each lunar soil forming unit includes a molding device and a solidification cavity shell located below the molding device. The outer surface of the molding device and the solidification cavity surface inside the solidification cavity shell are slidably connected. The molding device includes a rotary switch unit and a lunar soil mixing unit. The rotary switch unit is sealed to the inner surface of the molding device. When closed, the rotary switch unit forms the bottom of a mixing space that accommodates the lunar soil mixing unit. The mixing space is used to mix at least lunar soil and an alkaline solution. The rotary switch unit includes a first rotary valve and a second rotary valve that are spaced apart from top to bottom and rotate horizontally. The first valve is used to form the bottom of the mixing space that accommodates the lunar soil mixing unit when it is closed, and the second valve is used to form the bottom of the molding device when it is closed. The interval is used to form an alkaline solution storage chamber when both the first rotary valve and the second rotary valve are in the closed state. The alkaline solution storage chamber is used to store alkaline solution and Earth's air.

2. The lunar soil in-situ forming device based on alkali activation technology according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lunar soil mixing unit includes a mixer motor, a mixing shaft, and mixer blades connected in sequence from top to bottom.

3. The lunar soil in-situ forming device based on alkali activation technology according to claim 1, characterized in that, The length ratio of the molding device to the solidification cavity shell in the vertical direction is 1:1 to 1.2:

1.

4. The lunar soil in-situ forming device based on alkali activation technology according to claim 1, characterized in that, The alkaline solution occupies 80%-90% of the space in the alkaline solution storage chamber.

5. The lunar soil in-situ forming device based on alkali activation technology according to claim 1, characterized in that, The metal casing is provided with an interface for receiving energy and signals, which are used to control the automatic operation of the molding device.

6. A method for in-situ forming of lunar soil using the apparatus according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step 1: Keep the first rotary valve open and the second rotary valve closed to store the alkaline solution and air. After storage is complete, close the first rotary valve. Step 2: Collect lunar surface soil, open the closable top cover, put the lunar soil into the mixing space of multiple lunar soil forming units, close the top cover, and invert the lunar soil in-situ forming device. Step 3: Open the first rotary valve to allow the alkaline solution to fall into the lunar soil, and turn on the stirrer to allow the lunar soil and the alkaline solution containing air to react fully. Step 4: Turn the lunar soil in-situ forming device over again, open the second rotary valve, and let the lunar soil mixture that has completed the reaction fall into the solidification forming chamber under the action of lunar gravity. Step 5: Close the second rotary valve and control the molding device to move downwards until the lunar soil mixture is compacted to obtain a lunar soil molded body; Step six: Open the hinged bottom cover, control the molding device to continue molding downwards, press the lunar soil molded body out of the solidification cavity and demold, then let it stand for curing.

7. The method for in-situ shaping of lunar soil according to claim 6, characterized in that, The process, which takes place after step one and before step two, also includes scanning the topography of the lunar surface and adjusting the lunar soil in-situ forming device's lunar landing attitude based on the scanning results.

8. The method for in-situ shaping of lunar soil according to claim 7, characterized in that, The alkaline solution is one of sodium hydroxide solution, sodium carbonate solution, or potassium hydroxide solution.

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