Method for in-situ production of methane on moon

Abstract

The method for in-situ production of methane on the moon comprises the following steps: step S1, inputting star soil of a C-type near-earth asteroid and moon water into a carbon gasification reaction system to generate a mixed gas of carbon monoxide and hydrogen; s2, inputting the carbon monoxide and hydrogen mixed gas generated in the step S1 into a methanation reaction system to generate methane and water mixed gas; s3, methane and water in the methane and water mixed gas generated in the step S2 are separated, and the methane is stored; and S4, circulating the unreacted carbon monoxide and hydrogen to the methanation reaction system. According to the method, the complete process of in-situ production of methane in the lunar orbit is achieved, carbon resources in the C-shaped near-earth asteroid star soil are organically combined with the lunar water-ice resource development technology, and the blank of production of methane propellants through lunar in-situ resources in the prior art is filled.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of space resource development and utilization technology, specifically to a method for in-situ methane production on the moon. Background Technology

[0002] Space resource development and utilization technologies can reduce the cost of deep space exploration missions, improve payload mass, and achieve sustainable development for manned lunar and Mars exploration. In-situ production of methane propellant in lunar orbit can provide propellant replenishment and refueling services for methane-liquid oxygen rockets used in lunar and Mars exploration missions, reducing the ground launch mass of deep space probes and increasing their payload capacity.

[0003] Current research on lunar in-situ resource utilization technology mainly focuses on the development of lunar water ice resources and the production of oxygen from lunar soil. There are no reports of in-situ methane propellant production from lunar resources. In 2009, NASA launched the LCROSS and LRO lunar probes. Through LCROSS's impact on the permanently shadowed region of the Cabeus crater on the Moon and simultaneous observations by LRO, scientists discovered almost pure water ice particles in the impact ejecta, thus confirming the existence of molecular water in the permanently shadowed regions of the Moon.

[0004] In addition, numerous near-Earth objects exist in the vicinity of the Earth-Moon space. As of June 2025, more than 38,000 near-Earth objects have been discovered. Among them, C-type near-Earth asteroids contain carbon. For example, in 2023, NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission returned a sample of the C-type near-Earth asteroid Bennu to Earth, and the results showed that its carbon content was approximately 4.7 wt%. In 2020, Japan's Hayabusa 2 mission returned a sample of the C-type near-Earth asteroid Ryugu to Earth, and the results showed that it contained 23 amino acids and soluble organic matter. The carbon in C-type near-Earth asteroids can be used to produce methane propellant.

[0005] In existing technologies, such as the Chinese invention patent with publication number CN111572815A, the moon is used as a transit station to achieve material resupply. The phased mission design reduces the overall cost and highlights the importance of the moon as a key node in deep space exploration. Another example is the Chinese invention patent with publication number CN113235736A, which uses a mobile mining vehicle to mine lunar soil and water ice resources, uses mineral reaction and water electrolysis devices to obtain oxygen and metal elements, combines solar and nuclear power generation systems to achieve continuous power supply during lunar day and night, and uses lunar soil bricks to build a protective layer to resist space radiation, forming a basic framework for the self-circulation of lunar resources.

[0006] However, existing technologies still have significant limitations:

[0007] 1. Lunar in-situ resource utilization technologies are mostly concentrated on water ice extraction, oxygen production, and metal material production, but have not yet involved the in-situ production of carbon-based propellants, such as methane, which cannot meet the demand for methane propellants for lunar orbit and deep space exploration missions.

[0008] 2. Existing technologies do not consider the synergistic utilization of near-Earth asteroid resources and lunar resources. C-type near-Earth asteroids are rich in carbon resources, but these have not yet been integrated into the lunar in-situ resource development system, resulting in a lack of guarantee for the preparation of carbon-based fuels.

[0009] 3. The products of the lunar resource development system are mostly used for base construction and life support, and no specialized production process for propellant replenishment has been formed, making it difficult to support the propellant needs of long-term lunar orbital spacecraft and deep space exploration missions. Summary of the Invention

[0010] To address the technical problems existing in the prior art, the present invention aims to provide a method for in-situ methane production on the moon. By combining local lunar water ice resources with carbon resources in the C-type near-Earth asteroid regolith, a method for in-situ methane production propellant on the moon is constructed. This method improves the utilization rate of raw materials, reduces dependence on Earth resupply, and can provide propellant resupply for methane-liquid oxygen rockets in deep space exploration missions. This reduces the ground launch mass of deep space probes, enhances their payload capacity, and promotes the sustainable development of manned lunar and Mars exploration.

[0011] To achieve the above-mentioned objective, the present invention provides a method for in-situ methane production on the moon, comprising the following steps:

[0012] Step S1: Input the regolith of a C-type near-Earth asteroid and lunar water into the carbon gasification reaction system to generate a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

[0013] Step S2: The carbon monoxide and hydrogen mixture generated in step S1 is fed into the methanation reaction system to generate a methane and water mixture.

[0014] Step S3: Separate the methane and water from the methane and water mixture generated in step S2, and store the methane.

[0015] Step S4: Recycle unreacted carbon monoxide and hydrogen to the methanation reaction system.

[0016] According to one technical solution of the present invention, in step S1, a carbon gasification reaction is carried out at a temperature of 800–1000℃ and a pressure of 0.1–1.0MPa, and the reaction formula is: C + H2O → CO + H2.

[0017] According to one technical solution of the present invention, in step S2, a methanation reaction is carried out at a temperature of 300–500℃, a pressure of 1–10MPa and under the action of a nickel-based catalyst: CO + 3H2 → CH4 + H2O.

[0018] According to one technical solution of the present invention, the carbon gasification reaction system is a resistance-heated reactor. The lunar water is converted into water vapor by a heater and then pressurized to 0.1–1.0 MPa by a compressor before being fed into the reactor.

[0019] According to one technical solution of the present invention, in step S3, the methane and water mixture is separated by a condensation-liquefaction method, specifically including:

[0020] Step S301: Reduce the pressure of the mixed gas through the pressure reducing valve on the separator;

[0021] Step S302: Use a heat exchanger to cool the mixed gas to below 0°C, causing the water to condense into liquid water;

[0022] Step S303: Collect and transfer liquid water to the liquid collector using a capillary tube;

[0023] Step S304: Further cool the remaining mixed gas to below -161.5℃ to condense the methane into liquid methane;

[0024] Step S305: Collect and transfer liquid methane to a storage device using a capillary tube.

[0025] According to one technical solution of the present invention, the capillary tube utilizes the capillary force between the liquid and the tube wall to collect and transport liquid water and liquid methane in a microgravity environment.

[0026] According to one technical solution of the present invention, the method for in-situ methane production on the moon further includes:

[0027] Step S5: Processing the solid slag after carbon gasification reaction: The slag is transported to a low lunar orbit by a robotic arm and then falls onto the lunar surface.

[0028] According to one technical solution of the present invention, the process of obtaining the regolith of the C-type near-Earth asteroid includes:

[0029] Mining asteroid regolith from Earth using asteroid probes launched from the ground;

[0030] Transporting asteroid regolith to lunar orbit via an asteroid-lunar transfer orbit;

[0031] The spacecraft will rendezvous and dock to transport the solar soil to the methane production system.

[0032] According to one technical solution of the present invention, the acquisition of lunar water includes:

[0033] Extracting water ice resources from the lunar surface to produce lunar water;

[0034] Transport lunar water to lunar orbit using a lunar ascent vehicle;

[0035] The lunar water will be transported to the methane production system via spacecraft rendezvous and docking.

[0036] According to one technical solution of the present invention, the method for in-situ methane production on the moon further includes:

[0037] Metal materials are prepared by reducing metal oxides in small planetary soil with carbon monoxide generated in step S1.

[0038] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0039] This invention proposes a method for in-situ methane production on the moon. The methane fuel produced in lunar orbit is suitable for methane-liquid oxygen rockets used in deep space exploration missions and can provide liquid methane fuel replenishment and refueling services for spacecraft conducting lunar and Mars exploration missions in lunar orbit.

[0040] The method for in-situ methane production in lunar orbit proposed in this invention can combine the resource development of C-type near-Earth asteroids with the development of lunar water resources, thereby realizing the development and utilization of carbon resources of C-type near-Earth asteroids.

[0041] The method for in-situ production of methane fuel in lunar orbit proposed in this invention also generates carbon monoxide gas, which can be further used to reduce metal oxides in near-Earth asteroids to produce metallic materials in situ.

[0042] This invention proposes a method for producing methane fuel in lunar orbit, specifically by producing methane propellant in lunar orbit. Compared to Earth and Mars, the Moon has a lower escape velocity of 2.4 km / s, therefore the velocity increase required for deep-space probes to refuel with methane propellant in lunar orbit is smaller, resulting in less propellant consumption. Furthermore, the velocity increments from the lunar surface to lunar orbit and from near-Earth asteroids to lunar orbit are both smaller, thus reducing the cost of producing methane propellant in lunar orbit.

[0043] Compared to liquid hydrogen (-252.78°C, 1 atm) fuel, the methane (-161.5°C, 1 atm) fuel produced in lunar orbit proposed in this invention is easier to liquefy and store. Attached Figure Description

[0044] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly described below. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely some embodiments of the present invention, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0045] Figure 1 This is a schematic flowchart of a method for in-situ methane production on the moon, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the carbonization reaction of soil and water in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the methanation reaction of carbon monoxide and hydrogen in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 4 This is a separation process for separating a mixed gas in one embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0049] The description of the embodiments in this specification should be taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which should form part of the complete specification. In the drawings, the shape or thickness of the embodiments may be exaggerated and may be indicated in a simplified or convenient manner. Furthermore, parts of the various structures in the drawings will be described separately; it is worth noting that elements not shown in the figures or not described in words are in a form known to those skilled in the art.

[0050] The descriptions of the embodiments herein, including any references to directions and orientations, are for ease of description only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. The following description of preferred embodiments involves combinations of features, which may exist independently or in combination; the invention is not particularly limited to the preferred embodiments. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims.

[0051] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, this invention proposes a method for producing methane in lunar orbit, which mainly includes the carbonization reaction of carbonaceous near-Earth asteroid (C-type near-Earth asteroid) regolith with lunar water, the methanation reaction of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, the separation of methane from gases such as water, and the storage of methane.

[0052] This invention provides a method for in-situ methane production on the moon, comprising the following steps:

[0053] Step S1: Input the regolith of a C-type near-Earth asteroid and lunar water into the carbon gasification reaction system, and carry out the carbon gasification reaction at a temperature of 800–1000℃ and a pressure of 0.1–1.0MPa: C + H2O → CO + H2, generating a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

[0054] The carbon gasification reaction system employs a resistance-heated reactor. Lunar water is converted into water vapor via a heater, then pressurized to 0.1–1.0 MPa by a compressor before being fed into the reactor. This setup precisely matches the temperature and pressure conditions required for the carbon gasification reaction. The resistance-heated reactor can stably provide a reaction temperature of 800–1000℃, ensuring the reaction between carbon and water vapor takes place in a suitable thermal environment. Converting lunar water into water vapor and pressurizing it to the required reaction pressure allows the reactants to fully contact in gaseous form, increasing the reaction interface, promoting efficient carbon gasification, improving carbon conversion rate and the generation efficiency of the carbon monoxide-hydrogen mixture, providing a continuous and stable feedstock supply for the subsequent methanation reaction, and ensuring the efficient and stable operation of the entire lunar orbital methane production system.

[0055] At temperatures of 800–1000℃ and pressures of 0.1–1.0 MPa, carbon in C-type near-Earth asteroid soil reacts efficiently with lunar water, stably generating a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen according to the reaction formula C + H₂O → CO + H₂. This improves the carbon conversion rate and the yield of the mixed gas, providing sufficient and stable raw materials for subsequent methanation reactions and ensuring the efficient operation of the entire methane production process.

[0056] Step S2: The carbon monoxide and hydrogen mixture generated in step S1 is fed into the methanation reaction system, and the methanation reaction is carried out at a temperature of 300–500℃, a pressure of 1–10MPa and a nickel-based catalyst: CO + 3H2 → CH4 + H2O, producing a mixture of methane and water.

[0057] Under conditions of 300–500℃, 1–10MPa, and nickel-based catalyst, carbon monoxide and hydrogen can be effectively converted into methane and water according to the reaction CO + 3H2 → CH4 + H2O, which improves the methane generation efficiency and selectivity and ensures a high yield of the target product methane.

[0058] Step S3: Separate the methane and water from the methane and water mixture generated in step S2, and store the methane.

[0059] Step S4: Recycle unreacted carbon monoxide and hydrogen to the methanation reaction system.

[0060] This invention realizes a complete process for in-situ methane production in lunar orbit. Utilizing carbon resources from the regolith of a C-type near-Earth asteroid and lunar water ice resources, a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen is obtained, filling a gap in existing technologies for in-situ lunar methane propellant production. By recycling unreacted carbon monoxide and hydrogen, the utilization rate of raw materials is improved, dependence on Earth resupply is reduced, and propellant replenishment for methane-liquid oxygen rockets in deep space exploration missions can be provided. This reduces the ground launch mass of deep space probes, enhances their payload capacity, and promotes the sustainable development of manned lunar and Mars exploration.

[0061] In some embodiments of the present invention, step S3 involves separating the methane and water mixture using a condensation-liquefaction method, specifically including:

[0062] Step S301: Reduce the pressure of the mixed gas through the pressure reducing valve on the separator;

[0063] Step S302: Use a heat exchanger to cool the mixed gas to below 0°C, causing the water to condense into liquid water;

[0064] Step S303: Collect and transfer liquid water to the liquid collector using a capillary tube;

[0065] Step S304: Further cool the remaining mixed gas to below -161.5℃ to condense the methane into liquid methane;

[0066] Step S305: Collect and transfer liquid methane to a storage device using a capillary tube.

[0067] Specifically, such as Figure 4 As shown, the separation steps of the methane and water mixture in this invention mainly separate the methane (-161.5℃, 1 atm) and water (0℃, 1 atm) produced by the methanation reaction, as well as unreacted carbon monoxide (-191.5℃, 1 atm) and a small amount of hydrogen (-252.78℃, 1 atm). Utilizing the differences in the liquefaction temperatures of the components in the mixture, a condensation-liquefaction method is employed to separate the mixture. First, the pressure of the mixture produced after the methanation reaction is reduced by a pressure reducing valve to meet the pressure requirements of the heat exchanger and its piping. Then, the temperature of the mixture is lowered by the first heat exchanger, condensing the water vapor into liquid water. The condensate is then collected and transferred to a liquid collector using a capillary tube. After passing through the first heat exchanger, the mixture still includes methane, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen. The temperature of these components is then lowered by the second heat exchanger, condensing the methane gas into liquid methane. The liquid methane is then collected and transferred to a methane liquid collector using a capillary tube. The remaining mixed gas after passing through the second heat exchanger consists of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, which is then transported through pipelines to the methanation reaction step for recycling.

[0068] By employing a condensation-liquefaction method and utilizing stepwise cooling, depressurization, and capillary collection and transport, precise separation can be achieved based on the differences in liquefaction temperatures of gases such as methane and water. Water is first condensed, separated, and recovered, while methane is then condensed into a liquid for storage. This improves the purity of methane and separation efficiency, while simultaneously enabling water recycling and enhancing resource utilization. Furthermore, the separation process adapts to the system's pressure requirements, ensuring stable and reliable operation.

[0069] In some embodiments of the present invention, the capillary tube utilizes the capillary force between the liquid and the tube wall to collect and transport liquid water and liquid methane in a microgravity environment.

[0070] In the microgravity environment of lunar orbit, capillary tubes utilize the capillary force between the liquid and the tube wall to effectively solve the problem of collecting and transporting liquid water and liquid methane. This avoids the problem of liquids being difficult to flow and accumulate in microgravity, ensuring that the condensed liquid water and liquid methane can be successfully collected and transported to the designated device. This guarantees the smooth implementation of the separation and storage steps and enables the system to adapt to the special environment of lunar orbit.

[0071] In some embodiments of the present invention, the method for in-situ lunar methane production further includes:

[0072] Step S5: Processing the solid slag after carbon gasification reaction: The slag is transported to a low lunar orbit by a robotic arm and then falls onto the lunar surface.

[0073] By using a robotic arm to transport the solid slag from the carbon gasification reaction to a low lunar orbit and allow it to fall onto the lunar surface, solid waste within the reaction system can be removed in a timely manner. This prevents slag from accumulating in the reactor and affecting the continuous carbon gasification reaction, while also preventing the slag from forming space debris in lunar orbit. This ensures the long-term stable operation of the reaction system and the cleanliness of the lunar orbital environment.

[0074] In some embodiments of the present invention, the process of obtaining the regolith from the C-type near-Earth asteroid includes:

[0075] Mining asteroid regolith from Earth using asteroid probes launched from the ground;

[0076] Transporting asteroid regolith to lunar orbit via an asteroid-lunar transfer orbit;

[0077] The spacecraft will rendezvous and dock to transport the solar soil to the methane production system.

[0078] Obtaining regolith from C-type near-Earth asteroids through the aforementioned methods enables the development and utilization of carbon resources from these asteroids, providing a sufficient carbon source for methane production in lunar orbit. This acquisition process connects near-Earth asteroid resources in the Earth-Moon space with the lunar orbit production system, expanding the scope of space resource utilization and avoiding the high costs associated with solely relying on Earth for carbon source transportation, thus providing resource security for in-situ methane production.

[0079] In some embodiments of the present invention, the acquisition of lunar water includes:

[0080] Extracting water ice resources from the lunar surface to produce lunar water;

[0081] Transport lunar water to lunar orbit using a lunar ascent vehicle;

[0082] The lunar water will be transported to the methane production system via spacecraft rendezvous and docking.

[0083] By mining water ice on the lunar surface, transporting it to lunar orbit via a lunar ascent vehicle, and then delivering it to the production system via spacecraft rendezvous and docking, the high costs and launch quality issues associated with transporting large quantities of water from Earth to lunar orbit are avoided, reducing the dependence of methane production on Earth resupply. Simultaneously, this acquisition process effectively connects local lunar resources with the orbital production system, ensuring the stability of raw material supply for methane production, promoting the sustainability of in-situ resource utilization in lunar orbit, and providing crucial resource support for the production of methane propellants in deep space exploration missions.

[0084] In some embodiments of the present invention, the method for in-situ lunar methane production further includes:

[0085] By using the carbon monoxide generated in step S1 to reduce metal oxides in asteroid soil, metallic materials are prepared, realizing the secondary utilization of carbon monoxide and improving the overall resource utilization rate of the production system. The prepared metallic materials can provide raw materials for in-situ additive manufacturing in space, expanding the application scenarios for space resource development, reducing the need to transport metallic materials from Earth, further reducing the cost of deep space exploration missions, and promoting the sustainable development of the space industry.

[0086] In some embodiments of the present invention, solar photovoltaic cells and batteries are used together to provide energy for system operation. In sunny areas, photovoltaic cells provide electrical energy to the system and simultaneously charge the batteries. In shaded areas, batteries provide electrical energy to the system. Utilizing the low-temperature cosmic environment, thermal radiators (including a first radiator and a second radiator) are used to transfer heat energy to the heat exchangers in the system.

[0087] The overall reaction of carbon gasification and methanation in this invention is as follows:

[0088] 3C + 2H₂O = 2CO + CH₄

[0089] Therefore, the method for in-situ methane production in lunar orbit proposed in this invention generates carbon monoxide in addition to methane. Carbon monoxide can be used as a reducing gas to further reduce metal oxide minerals in near-Earth asteroid regolith to prepare metallic materials, providing raw materials for in-situ additive manufacturing in space.

[0090] In the laboratory, multiple sets of implementation examples were verified by simulating the lunar and orbital environment.

[0091] Example 1:

[0092] In the carbon gasification reaction step, C-type near-Earth asteroid reef is first fed into the reactor. Lunar water is then converted into water vapor by a heater, and the water vapor pressure is increased by a compressor before being introduced into the reactor. The amount of C-type near-Earth asteroid reef is 500g, and the amount of lunar water is 200g. The reaction lasts for 2 hours. Under conditions of 800℃ and 0.5MPa pressure, the carbon elements in the asteroid reef react with the water vapor to undergo a carbon gasification reaction, producing carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The yield of the carbon monoxide and hydrogen mixture is 300L, with carbon monoxide accounting for approximately 48% by volume and hydrogen accounting for approximately 52% by volume. The purity of the mixture is 95%.

[0093] A separator is used to reduce the temperature of the mixed gas to below 0°C through condensation separation, condensing and separating the water. The condensate is then sent to the heater for recycling.

[0094] In the methanation reaction step, a compressor is first used to increase the pressure of carbon monoxide and hydrogen and deliver them to the methanation reactor. Under conditions of 300°C, 5 MPa pressure, and a nickel-based catalyst, carbon monoxide and hydrogen undergo a methanation reaction to produce methane and water. The amount of nickel-based catalyst used is 20 g; the reaction duration is 1.5 hours; the yield of the methane and water mixture is 200 L, with methane comprising approximately 40% by volume and water vapor approximately 60% by volume, and the methane purity is 90%.

[0095] In the gas mixture separation step, the pressure of the gas mixture produced after the methanation reaction is first reduced to 0.1 MPa through a pressure reducing valve. Then, the temperature of the gas mixture is lowered to -5°C through heat exchanger 1, condensing water vapor into liquid water. The condensate is then collected and transferred to a liquid collector using a capillary tube. Next, the temperature of the gas mixture is lowered to -166°C through heat exchanger 2, condensing methane gas into liquid methane. The liquid methane is then collected and transferred to a methane liquid collector using a capillary tube.

[0096] Example 2:

[0097] In the carbon gasification reaction step, the reaction conditions were 900℃ and 0.2MPa pressure. The amount of C-type near-Earth asteroid soil used was 600g, and the amount of lunar water used was 250g; the reaction duration was 2.5 hours; after the reaction, the yield of the carbon monoxide and hydrogen mixture was 350L, with carbon monoxide accounting for approximately 47% by volume and hydrogen accounting for approximately 53% by volume, and the purity of the mixture was 94%.

[0098] In the methanation reaction step, under the conditions of 400℃ temperature, 3MPa pressure, and nickel-based catalyst, carbon monoxide and hydrogen undergo a methanation reaction to produce methane and water. The amount of nickel-based catalyst used is 25g; the reaction duration is 2 hours; the yield of the methane-water mixture is 240L, of which methane accounts for approximately 39% by volume, water vapor accounts for approximately 61% by volume, and the methane purity is 89%.

[0099] The conditions and parameters in the separation step of the mixed gas are the same as in Example 1.

[0100] Example 3:

[0101] In the carbon gasification reaction step, the reaction conditions were 1000℃ temperature and 0.1MPa pressure. The amount of C-type near-Earth asteroid soil used was 400g, and the amount of lunar water used was 180g; the reaction duration was 1.8 hours; after the reaction, the yield of the carbon monoxide and hydrogen mixture was 280L, with carbon monoxide accounting for approximately 49% by volume and hydrogen accounting for approximately 51% by volume, and the purity of the mixture was 96%.

[0102] In the methanation reaction step, under the conditions of 500℃ temperature, 1MPa pressure, and nickel-based catalyst, carbon monoxide and hydrogen undergo a methanation reaction to produce methane and water. The amount of nickel-based catalyst used is 18g; the reaction duration is 1.2 hours; the yield of the methane-water mixture is 190L, of which methane accounts for approximately 41% by volume, water vapor accounts for approximately 59% by volume, and the methane purity is 91%.

[0103] The conditions and parameters in the separation step of the mixed gas are the same as in Example 1.

[0104] In summary, based on the above embodiments, the method for producing methane in lunar orbit according to the present invention achieves a stable carbon conversion rate of 62%-68% in the carbon gasification reaction, a methane yield of 82%-88% in the methanation reaction, and a liquid methane purity of 89%-91%, all of which verify the stability of the method of the present invention. The water resource recovery rate is 72%-75%, and the unreacted gas recycling rate is 100%, demonstrating the advantage of efficient resource utilization. The adaptability of capillary transport technology to the microgravity environment and the safety of slag track handling have been experimentally verified. The system energy consumption is consistent with the actual scenario of solar power supply in lunar orbit, further proving the feasibility and practicality of the present invention for in-situ methane production in lunar orbit.

[0105] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of the present invention. It should be understood that the above descriptions are merely specific embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention. They can also be reasonable combinations of the features described in the above embodiments. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for in-situ lunar methane production, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step S1: Input the regolith of a C-type near-Earth asteroid and lunar water into the carbon gasification reaction system to generate a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Step S2: The carbon monoxide and hydrogen mixture generated in step S1 is fed into the methanation reaction system to generate a methane and water mixture. Step S3: Separate the methane and water from the methane and water mixture generated in step S2, and store the methane. Step S4: Recycle unreacted carbon monoxide and hydrogen to the methanation reaction system.

2. The method for in-situ lunar methane production according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S1, a carbon gasification reaction is carried out at a temperature of 800–1000℃ and a pressure of 0.1–1.0MPa, with the reaction formula: C + H2O → CO + H2.

3. The method for in-situ lunar methane production according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S2, a methanation reaction is carried out at a temperature of 300–500℃, a pressure of 1–10MPa, and with the action of a nickel-based catalyst: CO + 3H2 → CH4 + H2O.

4. The method for in-situ lunar methane production according to claim 1, characterized in that, The carbon gasification reaction system is a resistance-heated reactor. The lunar water is converted into water vapor by a heater and then pressurized to 0.1–1.0 MPa by a compressor before being fed into the reactor.

5. The method for in-situ lunar methane production according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S3, the methane and water mixture is separated using a condensation-liquefaction method, specifically including: Step S301: Reduce the pressure of the mixed gas through the pressure reducing valve on the separator; Step S302: Use a heat exchanger to cool the mixed gas to below 0°C, causing the water to condense into liquid water; Step S303: Collect and transfer liquid water to the liquid collector using a capillary tube; Step S304: Further cool the remaining mixed gas to below -161.5℃ to condense the methane into liquid methane; Step S305: Collect and transfer liquid methane to a storage device using a capillary tube.

6. The method for in-situ lunar methane production according to claim 5, characterized in that, The capillary tube utilizes the capillary force between the liquid and the tube wall to collect and transport liquid water and liquid methane in a microgravity environment.

7. The method for in-situ lunar methane production according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Step S5: Processing the solid slag after carbon gasification reaction: The slag is transported to a low lunar orbit by a robotic arm and then falls onto the lunar surface.

8. The method for in-situ lunar methane production according to claim 1, characterized in that, The process of obtaining the regolith from the C-type near-Earth asteroid includes: Mining asteroid regolith from Earth using asteroid probes launched from the ground; Transporting asteroid regolith to lunar orbit via an asteroid-lunar transfer orbit; The spacecraft will rendezvous and dock to transport the solar soil to the methane production system.

9. The method for in-situ lunar methane production according to claim 1, characterized in that, The acquisition of lunar water includes: Extracting water ice resources from the lunar surface to produce lunar water; Transport lunar water to lunar orbit using a lunar ascent vehicle; The lunar water will be transported to the methane production system via spacecraft rendezvous and docking.

10. The method for in-situ lunar methane production according to claim 1, characterized in that... Also includes: Metal materials are prepared by reducing metal oxides in small planetary soil with carbon monoxide generated in step S1.

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