Moon mineral sorting device and method based on electron beam charging

Abstract

The invention discloses a lunar mineral sorting device and method based on electron beam charging, and belongs to the field of lunar in-situ resource utilization. The sorting device comprises a lunar soil hopper, a lunar soil particle track guiding module, an electron beam module and a mineral collecting module. The lunar soil particles are guided out by the lunar soil hopper, the electron beam module emits electron beams to the lunar soil particles to charge the lunar soil particles, so that the lunar soil particles of different mineral types carry different electric charges, and the lunar soil particle track guiding module guides the lunar soil particles into different areas of the mineral collecting module according to the difference of the electric charges carried by the lunar soil particles to realize separation; the lunar soil particles are electrified by using electron beams, a large number of electrons directly act on the lunar soil particles, the quantity of electric charges obtained by the lunar soil particles is large, and the subsequent mineral separation process is easier to realize; the electron beam scanning area is large, the scanning frequency is high, the lunar soil treatment capacity is large, and large-scale application is facilitated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of lunar in-situ resource utilization, and in particular relates to a lunar mineral sorting device and method based on electron beam charging. Background Art

[0002] By developing and utilizing lunar mineral resources, we can obtain oxygen / liquid oxygen as well as materials such as iron, titanium, and silicon, which can provide life support supplies for astronauts, fuel for lunar spacecraft, and raw materials for the construction of a lunar base. This will greatly reduce the frequency and weight of Earth-Moon transportation, and effectively reduce the economic cost of lunar base construction and long-term operation.

[0003] The lunar surface is covered with loose rock powder, including highland anorthosite and lunar mare basalt. The rocks contain minerals such as ilmenite, plagioclase, pyroxene, and olivine. Before smelting the minerals, if the high-value minerals are enriched, it will help improve the smelting efficiency. The high vacuum environment on the lunar surface is not suitable for grinding, flotation, gravity separation, wet magnetic separation and other mineral separation methods that require a large amount of water. The gravity of 1 / 6g on the lunar surface has an impact on gravity separation. Electrostatic separation is a lunar mineral separation method with application prospects.

[0004] The existing patent (grant number: CN202211347229.3) discloses a lunar soil ilmenite sorting device. After passing through the feed port, grinding disc and other structures, the lunar soil particles fall freely and contact the conical anode to be charged. The electrostatic field separates the particles with different charges. The contact charging method has a low particle charging efficiency and a small amount of lunar soil processing; the particles obtain a low amount of charge, the trajectory difference between conductive and non-conductive minerals in the electrostatic field is small, and the enrichment of the minerals of interest is low. To this end, a lunar mineral sorting method based on electron beam charging is proposed. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of the deficiencies in the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a lunar mineral sorting device and method based on electron beam charging, which solves the problems in the prior art.

[0006] The purpose of the present invention can be achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0007] A lunar mineral sorting device based on electron beam charging includes a lunar soil hopper, a lunar soil particle trajectory guidance module, an electron beam module and a mineral collection module; lunar soil particles are discharged from the lunar soil hopper, and the electron beam module emits electron beams to charge the lunar soil particles, so that lunar soil particles of different mineral types carry different charges. The lunar soil particle trajectory guidance module guides the lunar soil particles into different areas of the mineral collection module according to the different charges carried by the lunar soil particles, so as to achieve sorting.

[0008] Furthermore, the lunar soil particle trajectory guidance module includes a slide arranged at the lower end of the lunar soil hopper, and a positive plate and a negative plate arranged below the slide; the positive plate and the negative plate form an electrostatic field, and the charged lunar soil particles fall from the slide into the electrostatic field. Under the action of the electrostatic field, the lunar soil particles fall into different areas of the mineral collection module according to the amount of charge they carry.

[0009] Furthermore, the electric field strength of the electrostatic field is 100 kV / m to 400 kV / m.

[0010] Furthermore, the lunar soil particle trajectory guidance module includes a rotatable drum located at the lower end of the lunar soil hopper, and the electron beam module is arranged on one side of the drum to charge the lunar soil particles on the drum; under the rotation of the drum, the lunar soil particles on it fall into different areas of the mineral collection module according to the amount of charge they carry;

[0011] Furthermore, a scraper is provided on the side of the drum facing away from the electron beam module to scrape some of the lunar soil particles adhering to the surface of the drum into the mineral collection module.

[0012] Furthermore, the rotation speed of the drum is 10 rpm to 1000 rpm.

[0013] Furthermore, the electron beam energy emitted by the electron beam module is 10keV to 100keV, and the scanning frequency is ≥100Hz.

[0014] A lunar mineral sorting method based on electron beam charging, using the above-mentioned lunar mineral sorting device based on electron beam charging, comprises the following steps:

[0015] S1, collect lunar soil from the lunar surface, grind and sieve it to obtain lunar soil particles with uniform particle size;

[0016] S2, putting the lunar soil particles obtained in S1 into the lunar soil hopper, and the lunar soil hopper feeds out the lunar soil in the form of a uniform thin layer;

[0017] S3, the electron beam module emits an electron beam to the delivered lunar soil particles, and the lunar soil particles acquire electrons. The lunar soil particles of different mineral types carry different amounts of charge;

[0018] S4, uses the lunar soil particle trajectory guidance module to control the movement trajectory of the charged lunar soil particles in S3. Lunar soil particles with different conductivity fall into different areas of the mineral collection module to achieve the sorting and enrichment of minerals in the lunar soil.

[0019] Furthermore, the lunar soil particle trajectory guidance module includes a slide arranged at the lower end of the lunar soil hopper, and a positive plate and a negative plate arranged below the slide; the positive plate and the negative plate form an electrostatic field, and the charged lunar soil particles fall from the slide into the electrostatic field. Under the action of the electrostatic field, the lunar soil particles fall into different areas of the mineral collection module according to the amount of charge they carry.

[0020] Furthermore, the lunar soil particle trajectory guidance module includes a rotatable drum located at the lower end of the lunar soil hopper, and the electron beam module is arranged on one side of the drum to charge the lunar soil particles on the drum; under the rotation of the drum, the lunar soil particles on it fall into different areas of the mineral collection module according to the amount of charge they carry;

[0021] A scraper is provided on the side of the drum facing away from the electron beam module to scrape some of the lunar soil particles adhering to the surface of the drum into the mineral collection module.

[0022] Beneficial effects of the present invention:

[0023] 1. Friction charging, contact charging and other methods are all charge transfer between lunar soil particles and target materials. Compared with these methods, the use of electron beams to charge lunar soil particles, a large number of electrons directly act on the lunar soil particles, the lunar soil particles obtain a large amount of charge, and it is easier to achieve subsequent mineral sorting processes; the electron beam can scan a large area, the scanning frequency is fast, and the lunar soil processing volume is large, which is conducive to large-scale application.

[0024] 2. The present invention makes full use of the ultra-high vacuum environment on the lunar surface to create ideal working conditions for electron beams and electrostatic field devices, which is beneficial to improving energy utilization efficiency and environmental adaptability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, for ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a flow chart of the lunar mineral sorting method of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the lunar mineral sorting device in Example 1;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the lunar mineral sorting device in Example 2.

[0029] In the figure: 1- lunar soil particles, 2- lunar soil hopper, 3- slide, 4- electron beam module, 5- electron beam, 6- positive electrode plate, 7- negative electrode plate, 8- conductive lunar soil particles, 9- non-conductive lunar soil particles, 10- mineral collection module, 11- roller, 12- scraper. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0031] Example 1

[0032] like Figure 2 As shown, a lunar mineral sorting device based on electron beam charging includes a lunar soil hopper 2 and a mineral collection module 10 respectively located at the upper and lower ends of the device. The lunar soil particles after grinding and screening are discharged from the lunar soil hopper 2 and can eventually fall into the mineral collection module 10; a slide 3 is provided at the lower end of the lunar soil hopper 2 to receive the lunar soil particles falling from the lunar soil hopper 2, an electron beam module 4 is provided on one side of the slide 3, and a positive electrode plate 6 and a negative electrode plate 7 are provided below the slide 3, and the positive electrode plate 6 and the negative electrode plate 7 form an electrostatic field;

[0033] The lunar soil mining equipment collects lunar soil on the lunar surface, grinds and sieves it, obtains lunar soil particles 1 with a diameter less than 20 μm, and adds them to the lunar soil hopper 2;

[0034] The lunar soil particles 1 are discharged from the lunar soil hopper 2 at a uniform speed and fall along the slide 3. The slide 3 is made of conductive aluminum alloy. The thickness of the lunar soil particles on the slide 3 is 100um to 1mm.

[0035] The electron beam module 4 continuously emits an electron beam 5 to the lunar soil particles on the slide 3. The energy of the electron beam 5 is 10keV~100keV, and the scanning frequency is ≥100Hz. The non-conductive lunar soil particles 9 obtain more negative charges, and the charges obtained by the conductive lunar soil particles 8 are transferred to the slide 3 and carry less charge or no charge.

[0036] The lunar soil particles 1 fall from the end of the slide 3 and pass through the electrostatic field between the positive plate 6 and the negative plate 7, with an electric field strength of 100kV / m to 400kV / m. Under the action of the electrostatic field, the trajectory of the lunar soil particles 1 is deflected, and the non-conductive lunar soil particles 9 fall into the positive electrode side of the mineral collection module 10, and the conductive lunar soil particles 8 fall into the negative electrode side of the mineral collection module 10, thereby realizing the sorting of the lunar soil particles 1.

[0037] Example 2

[0038] like Figure 3 As shown, a lunar mineral sorting device based on electron beam charging includes a lunar soil hopper 2 and a mineral collection module 10 respectively located at the upper and lower ends of the device. The lunar soil particles after grinding and screening are discharged from the lunar soil hopper 2 and can eventually fall into the mineral collection module 10; a rotatable roller 11 is arranged at the lower end of the lunar soil hopper 2, and an electron beam module 4 is arranged on one side of the roller 11; and a scraper 12 is arranged on the side of the roller 11 facing away from the electron beam module;

[0039] The lunar soil mining equipment collects lunar soil on the lunar surface, grinds and sieves it, obtains lunar soil particles 1 with a diameter less than 20 μm, and adds them to the lunar soil hopper 2;

[0040] The lunar soil particles 1 are discharged from the lunar soil hopper 2 at a uniform speed and fall onto the roller 11. The roller 11 is made of a conductive aluminum alloy and rotates at a uniform speed of 10 rpm to 1000 rpm. The thickness of the lunar soil particles on the roller 11 is 100 um to 1 mm.

[0041] The electron beam module 4 continuously emits an electron beam 5 to the lunar soil particles on the roller 11. The energy of the electron beam 5 is 10keV~100keV, and the scanning frequency is ≥100Hz. The non-conductive lunar soil particles 9 obtain more negative charges, and the conductive lunar soil particles 8 transfer the obtained charges to the roller 11 and carry less charge or no charge.

[0042] Outside the scanning area of ​​the electron beam module 4, the conductive lunar soil particles 8 are thrown out along the tangential direction of the drum 11 and fall into the right side of the mineral collection module; due to the electrostatic adhesion, the non-conductive lunar soil particles 9 rotate with the drum 11, and part of them fall into the middle of the mineral collection module 10 on the way, and part of them are scraped off by the scraper 12 and fall into the left side of the module 10, thereby realizing the sorting of the lunar soil particles 1.

[0043] Example 3

[0044] like Figure 1 As shown, a lunar mineral sorting method based on electron beam charging comprises the following steps:

[0045] S1, collecting lunar soil from the lunar surface, grinding and sieving, and obtaining lunar soil particles 1 with uniform particle size;

[0046] S2, putting the lunar soil particles 1 obtained in S1 into the lunar soil hopper 2, and the lunar soil hopper 2 feeds the lunar soil outward in the form of a uniform thin layer;

[0047] S3, the electron beam module 4 emits an electron beam 5 to the lunar soil particles 1 sent by S2, and the lunar soil particles 1 obtain electrons. The lunar soil particles 1 of different mineral types carry different amounts of charge due to their different electrical conductivities;

[0048] S4, using the lunar soil particle trajectory guidance module to control the movement trajectory of the charged lunar soil particles in S3, so that the lunar soil particles with different conductivity fall into different areas of the mineral collection module 10, thereby realizing the sorting of the lunar soil particles 1;

[0049] In this embodiment, the lunar soil particle trajectory guidance module includes: a slide 3, a positive electrode plate 6, and a negative electrode plate 7 in Embodiment 1; the lunar soil particles 1 are introduced by the slide 3 into the electrostatic field formed between the positive electrode plate 6 and the negative electrode plate 7, and under the action of the electrostatic field, the trajectory of the lunar soil particles 1 is deflected, and the non-conductive lunar soil particles 9 fall into the positive electrode plate side of the mineral collection module 10, and the conductive lunar soil particles 8 fall into the negative electrode plate side of the mineral collection module 10, thereby realizing the sorting of the lunar soil particles 1;

[0050] In other embodiments, the lunar soil particle trajectory guidance module may also include the following in Embodiment 2: a rotatable drum 11 and a scraper 12 disposed on one side of the drum 11; the non-conductive lunar soil particles 9 acquire more negative charges, and the conductive lunar soil particles 8 transfer the acquired charges to the drum 11 and carry less charges or no charges. The conductive lunar soil particles 8 are thrown out along the tangent direction of the drum 11 and fall into the right side of the mineral collection module; due to electrostatic adhesion, the non-conductive lunar soil particles 9 rotate with the drum 11, and some of them fall into the middle of the mineral collection module 10 in the middle, and some are scraped off by the scraper 12 and fall into the left side of the module 10, thereby realizing the sorting of the lunar soil particles 1.

[0051] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "example", "specific example", etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representation of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner.

[0052] The above shows and describes the basic principles, main features and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and the above embodiments and descriptions are only for explaining the principles of the present invention. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, the present invention may have various changes and improvements, and these changes and improvements all fall within the scope of the present invention to be protected.

Claims

1. A lunar mineral sorting device based on electron beam charging, characterized in that: It includes a lunar soil hopper, a lunar soil particle trajectory guidance module, an electron beam module and a mineral collection module; the lunar soil particles are discharged from the lunar soil hopper, and the electron beam module emits an electron beam to charge the lunar soil particles, so that lunar soil particles of different mineral types carry different charges. The lunar soil particle trajectory guidance module guides the lunar soil particles into different areas of the mineral collection module according to the different charges carried by the lunar soil particles, so as to achieve sorting.

2. The lunar mineral sorting device based on electron beam charging according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The lunar soil particle trajectory guidance module includes a slide arranged at the lower end of the lunar soil hopper, and a positive plate and a negative plate arranged below the slide; the positive plate and the negative plate form an electrostatic field, and the charged lunar soil particles fall from the slide into the electrostatic field. Under the action of the electrostatic field, the lunar soil particles fall into different areas of the mineral collection module according to the amount of charge they carry.

3. The lunar mineral sorting device based on electron beam charging according to claim 2 is characterized in that: The electric field strength of the electrostatic field is 100 kV / m to 400 kV / m.

4. The lunar mineral sorting device based on electron beam charging according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The lunar soil particle trajectory guidance module includes a rotatable roller located at the lower end of the lunar soil hopper. The electron beam module is arranged on one side of the roller and charges the lunar soil particles on the roller. Under the rotation of the roller, the lunar soil particles on it fall into different areas of the mineral collection module according to the amount of charge they carry.

5. The lunar mineral sorting device based on electron beam charging according to claim 4 is characterized in that: A scraper is provided on the side of the drum facing away from the electron beam module to scrape some of the lunar soil particles adhering to the surface of the drum into the mineral collection module.

6. The lunar mineral sorting device based on electron beam charging according to claim 4 is characterized in that: The rotating speed of the drum is 10 rpm to 1000 rpm.

7. The lunar mineral sorting device based on electron beam charging according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The electron beam energy emitted by the electron beam module is 10keV to 100keV, and the scanning frequency is ≥100Hz.

8. A lunar mineral sorting method based on electron beam charging, characterized in that: The lunar mineral sorting device based on electron beam charging according to claim 1 or 7 comprises the following steps: S1, collect lunar soil from the lunar surface, grind and sieve it to obtain lunar soil particles with uniform particle size; S2, putting the lunar soil particles obtained in S1 into the lunar soil hopper, and the lunar soil hopper feeds out the lunar soil in the form of a uniform thin layer; S3, the electron beam module emits an electron beam to the delivered lunar soil particles, and the lunar soil particles acquire electrons. The lunar soil particles of different mineral types carry different amounts of charge; S4, uses the lunar soil particle trajectory guidance module to control the movement trajectory of the charged lunar soil particles in S3. Lunar soil particles with different conductivity fall into different areas of the mineral collection module to achieve the sorting and enrichment of minerals in the lunar soil.

9. The method for sorting lunar minerals based on electron beam charging according to claim 8, characterized in that: The lunar soil particle trajectory guidance module includes a slide arranged at the lower end of the lunar soil hopper, and a positive plate and a negative plate arranged below the slide; the positive plate and the negative plate form an electrostatic field, and the charged lunar soil particles fall from the slide into the electrostatic field. Under the action of the electrostatic field, the lunar soil particles fall into different areas of the mineral collection module according to the amount of charge they carry.

10. The method for sorting lunar minerals based on electron beam charging according to claim 8, characterized in that: The lunar soil particle trajectory guidance module includes a rotatable drum located at the lower end of the lunar soil hopper, and an electron beam module is arranged on one side of the drum to charge the lunar soil particles on the drum; under the rotation of the drum, the lunar soil particles on it fall into different areas of the mineral collection module according to the amount of charge they carry; A scraper is provided on the side of the drum facing away from the electron beam module to scrape some of the lunar soil particles adhering to the surface of the drum into the mineral collection module.

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