Analysis, treatment, refining and forming integrated device applied to in-situ star soil resources

Abstract

The invention provides an integrated device for analyzing, processing, refining and forming in-situ star soil resources. The integrated device comprises an ultrafast laser generating device, a transparent sealed container, a high-transmittance glass cover, a spectrograph, a control and monitoring system, a power supply, a gas output port, a moving part, a star soil laying table, a sorting electrode and an analysis probe. According to the integrated device, ultrafast laser acts on star soil, ionization of star soil substances is achieved, analysis and refining of the star soil are finally completed in combination with spectrograph detection and electric field separation, and 3D forming printing is conducted on residual substances, so that the quality of the star soil is improved. The problems that the molecular structure of a substance cannot be detected by traditional laser, the measurement sensitivity and stability are insufficient, and an obvious matrix effect exists are solved, and the problems that a reducing agent needs to be carried or a high-temperature environment needs to be provided in a reduction method, a high-temperature melting electrolysis method and other star soil extraction methods are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the technical field of in-situ shale processing equipment, and specifically relates to an integrated device for the analysis, processing, refining and molding of in-situ shale resources. Background Technology

[0002] Since the beginning of the 21st century, spaceflight has entered a historic period of opportunity known as the "Great Space Age." With the rapid development of aerospace technology, humanity has gradually moved from space exploration to a new stage of space resource development. The in-situ development and utilization of extraterrestrial resources is an emerging international frontier field. Research is generally in its initial stages, involving multiple disciplines, and urgently requires strengthening basic research and original innovation to address major fundamental issues in this field. Space resource development will bring enormous economic value, provide new impetus for Earth's sustainable development, and significantly reduce Earth's resupply needs, providing a foundation for large-scale space activities. Utilizing the stellar reef resources contained in extraterrestrial bodies, through in-situ resource conversion and utilization technologies, we can achieve in-situ oxygen production, metal extraction and precision molding of parts, and sintering of stellar reefs for on-orbit extraction and utilization. This can reduce or even eliminate dependence on Earth's material and energy supplies, enhance the flexibility of deep space exploration activities, enable long-term extraterrestrial exploration, establish and maintain research stations, and even achieve space colonization in the future, expanding humanity's living space.

[0003] The integrated technology for in-situ analysis, processing, refining, and molding of lunar regolith aims to achieve the refining of oxygen, metals, and non-metals, precision molding of lunar regolith, and sintering construction with minimal resource constraints and without the need for additives. This technology is of great significance for future lunar base construction and space mining. Currently, domestic and international research mainly focuses on individual aspects such as analysis, processing, refining, and molding, with limited research on integrated technologies and devices. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, the inventors have conducted intensive research and developed an integrated device for the analysis, processing, refining, and molding of in-situ star soil resources, addressing the problem of low integration in current in-situ resource analysis and utilization technologies. This integrated device uses an ultrafast laser to interact with the star soil, ionizing the substances. Combined with spectrometer detection and electric field separation, it ultimately completes the analysis and refining of the star soil and performs 3D molding and printing of the residual materials. This solves the problems of traditional lasers being unable to detect the molecular structure of substances, insufficient measurement sensitivity and stability, and the existence of significant matrix effects. It also solves the problems of traditional star soil extraction methods such as reduction methods and high-temperature melting electrolysis, which require the use of reducing agents or high-temperature environments.

[0005] The technical solution provided by this invention is as follows: In the first aspect, an integrated device for in-situ star soil resources includes an ultrafast laser generating device, a transparent sealed container, a high-transmittance glass cover, a spectrometer, a control and monitoring system, a power supply, a gas output port, moving parts, a star soil laying stage, sorting electrodes, and an analytical probe. An ultrafast laser generator is used to produce lasers that interact with stellar soil to generate plasma plumes. The transparent sealed container provides an environment for the generation and collection of gas, and uses a high-transmittance glass cover as the top cover to allow the laser to penetrate into the transparent sealed container; The spectrometer's analytical probe is placed inside a transparent, sealed container to analyze the composition of the star soil, and the composition of the substance is displayed through a control and monitoring system. The power source provides electrical energy to the moving parts and sorting electrodes inside the container; The gas outlet is located on a transparent, sealed container, which outputs the generated gas. The star soil laying platform is used to lay star soil, providing a platform for interaction; The moving parts include a drive mechanism and a transmission mechanism, which move the star soil laying stage so that the laser can interact with all the star soil. The sorting electrodes are placed on both sides of the star soil spreading platform to separate positively and negatively charged particles, thereby separating and purifying the star soil components.

[0006] Secondly, an integrated processing method for in-situ spherical soil resources, employing the integrated device described in the first aspect for in-situ spherical soil resources, includes: An ultrafast laser generator produces laser light, which interacts with the star soil to produce plasma plumes. The analytical probe of the spectrometer collects photons emitted during the transitions of the plasma plumes into different states, analyzes the material composition of the star soil, and displays the material composition through a control and monitoring system. Moving parts drive the star soil placement stage to move, enabling the laser to interact with all star soil particles. By applying a sorting electrode to form an electric field, different charged particles are deflected in the electric field and attached to the sorting electrode, thus purifying and obtaining different metallic and non-metallic solid elements and gaseous elements. Metallic or non-metallic solid elements are used as processing materials to form metal or non-metallic parts for base construction; while the remaining undecomposed star soil is melted by laser and 3D printed to serve as building materials for extraterrestrial celestial bases.

[0007] The integrated device for analysis, processing, refining, and molding of in-situ star soil resources provided by the present invention has the following beneficial effects: (1) The present invention provides an integrated device for the analysis, processing, refining and molding of in-situ stellar soil resources. It uses an ultrafast laser (such as a femtosecond laser). This type of laser has high-energy pulses, which improves the efficiency of material phase composition characterization, improves the processing quality of material surface processing, facilitates real-time monitoring of the phase during laser cladding, and lays the foundation for closed-loop control of the phase during laser cladding. In addition, the energy absorption time of ultrafast laser is much shorter than the time required for dynamic processes such as thermal relaxation, which can effectively suppress the thermal effect in the laser scanning area. Ultrafast laser printing has the characteristics of high precision, high design and high functionality, and has extremely high processing accuracy and patterning capability.

[0008] (2) The present invention provides an integrated device for the analysis, processing, refining and molding of in-situ star soil resources. Compared with purification methods such as reduction method and high temperature melt electrolysis method, it does not require additional reducing agent or catalyst, nor does it require a container for holding high temperature melted substances. It can achieve separation and purification of star soil at low cost.

[0009] (3) The present invention provides an integrated device for the analysis, processing, refining and molding of in-situ star soil resources. It uses an ultrafast laser to interact with star soil to ionize the star soil material. Combined with spectrometer detection and electric field separation, the analysis and refining of star soil are finally completed, and the residual material is 3D molded and printed. It solves the problems of traditional lasers being unable to detect the molecular structure of the material, insufficient measurement sensitivity and stability, and obvious matrix effect. It realizes the in-situ analysis and resource extraction and utilization of star soil and the processing and manufacturing of materials. Through multi-functional integrated design, it meets the requirements of low power consumption and lightweight design of aerospace products. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the integrated device for the analysis, processing, refining and molding of in-situ star soil resources according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0011] The features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer and more explicit from the following detailed description.

[0012] The term “exemplary” as used herein means “serving as an example, embodiment, or illustration.” Any embodiment illustrated herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as superior to or better than other embodiments.

[0013] like Figure 1As shown, the present invention provides an integrated device for the analysis, processing, refining and molding of in-situ star soil resources, comprising: an ultrafast laser generating device 1, a transparent sealed container 2, a high-transmittance glass cover 3, a spectrometer 4, a control and monitoring system 5, a power supply 6, a gas output port 7, moving parts 8, a star soil laying stage 9, a sorting electrode 10 and an analysis probe 11. The ultrafast laser generating device 1 is used to generate ultrafast lasers with high energy density (such as femtosecond lasers), which interact with the star soil 12 to generate plasma plumes; The transparent sealed container 2 provides an environment for the generation and collection of gas. It uses a high-transmittance glass cover 3 as the top cover. The high-transmittance glass cover 3 is made of quartz material, which facilitates laser penetration and reduces laser energy loss. The analytical probe 11 of the spectrometer 4 is placed in a transparent sealed container 2 for analyzing the composition of the star soil 12 and displaying the composition of the substance through the control and monitoring system 5; Power source 6 provides electrical energy to the moving parts 8 and sorting electrodes 10 inside the container; The gas outlet 7 is located on the transparent sealed container 2 to output the generated gas, which facilitates the subsequent separation, purification and compression collection of the star soil; Star Soil Laying Platform 9 is used to lay Star Soil 12, providing a platform for interaction; The moving part 8 includes a drive mechanism and a transmission mechanism, which drive the star soil 12 and the star soil laying stage 9 to move, so that the high energy density ultrafast laser can interact with all the star soil. The sorting electrodes 10 are placed on both sides of the star soil spreading stage 9 to separate positively and negatively charged particles, thereby achieving the separation and purification of star soil components.

[0014] The ultrafast laser generating device 1 generates an ultrafast laser with high energy density, which interacts with the star soil 12. Due to the ultrafast laser's extremely high energy density, after the star soil 12 is ablated and melted, an excited-state nanoparticle cloud, namely a plasma plume, is formed directly above it in less than 1 μs. This cloud consists of ionized atoms, electrons, ions, and other solid particles. The ionized nanoparticles in the plasma plume are in an unstable high-energy state. When they transition to a stable low-energy state, they emit photons. These photons are collected by the analysis probe 11 and enter the spectrometer 4. In the spectrometer 4, after spectral dispersion and photoelectric conversion, the light signal is converted into a charge signal and enters the control and monitoring system 5 to generate a digital signal. Finally, the material composition of the star soil 12 is analyzed.

[0015] During the interaction between the ultrafast laser and Star Soil 12, the Star Soil 12 is plasmaized and possesses a certain velocity. This velocity is further amplified by the moving component 8, and ultimately, an electric field is created by the applying sorting electrode 10. This field deflects charged particles (positively charged particles move towards the negative electrode, and negatively charged particles move towards the positive electrode), causing them to adhere to the sorting electrode. This process separates and purifies different metals and non-metals, ultimately yielding different metallic or non-metallic solid elements (Fe, Ti, Si, etc.) and gaseous elements (O2, etc.). The obtained metallic or non-metallic solid elements, after further processing, can be used as processing materials in this device for further shaping and processing to obtain metallic or non-metallic parts for base construction.

[0016] The remaining undecomposed Star Soil 12 can be 3D printed by laser melting and used as building material for extraterrestrial bases (such as lunar bases).

[0017] The present invention has been described in detail above with reference to specific embodiments and exemplary examples; however, these descriptions should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that various equivalent substitutions, modifications, or improvements can be made to the technical solutions and embodiments of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications and improvements fall within the scope of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

[0018] The contents not described in detail in this specification are common knowledge to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An integrated device for in-situ resource utilization, characterized in that, It includes an ultrafast laser generating device (1), a transparent sealed container (2), a high-transmittance glass cover (3), a spectrometer (4), a control and monitoring system (5), a power supply (6), a gas outlet (7), moving parts (8), a star soil laying stage (9), sorting electrodes (10), and an analytical probe (11). An ultrafast laser generating device (1) is used to generate lasers, which interact with star soil (12) to generate plasma plumes; The transparent sealed container (2) provides an environment for the generation and collection of gas. A high-transmittance glass cover (3) is used as the top cover to allow the laser to penetrate into the transparent sealed container (2). The analytical probe (11) of the spectrometer (4) is placed in a transparent sealed container (2) for analyzing the composition of the star soil (12) and displaying the composition of the substance through the control and monitoring system (5); The power source (6) provides electrical energy to the moving parts (8) and sorting electrodes (10) inside the container; The gas outlet (7) is located on the transparent sealed container (2) to output the generated gas; The star soil laying platform (9) is used to lay star soil (12) and provides a platform for interaction; The moving parts (8) include a drive mechanism and a transmission mechanism, which drive the star soil (12) and the star soil laying platform (9) to move, so that the laser can interact with all the star soil; The sorting electrodes (10) are placed on both sides of the star soil spreading platform (9) to separate positive and negative charged particles and to separate and purify the star soil components.

2. The integrated device for in-situ spherical soil resources according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ultrafast laser generating device (1) generates a femtosecond laser that acts on the star soil (12).

3. The integrated device for in-situ spherical soil resources according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sorting electrode (10) separates metallic elements, non-metallic solid elements, or gaseous elements through an electric field. The metallic elements and non-metallic solid elements are used for the construction of metal or non-metallic parts in the base.

4. The integrated device for in-situ spherical soil resources according to claim 1, characterized in that, The star soil (12) that has not decomposed after being irradiated by the ultrafast laser generating device (1) is formed by laser melting 3D printing and used as a building material for an extraterrestrial celestial body base.

5. An integrated processing method for in-situ star soil resources, characterized in that, The integrated device for in-situ spherical soil resources as described in any one of claims 1 to 4 includes: The ultrafast laser generating device (1) generates laser light, which interacts with the star soil (12) to produce plasma plumes; the analysis probe (11) of the spectrometer (4) collects the photons emitted during the plasma plume level transition, analyzes the material composition of the star soil (12) through the spectrometer (4), and displays the material composition through the control and monitoring system (5); the moving part (8) drives the star soil (12) and star soil laying platform (9) to move, so that the laser can interact with all the star soil; By applying a sorting electrode (10) to form an electric field, different charged particles are deflected in the electric field and attached to the sorting electrode, thus purifying and obtaining different metal, non-metal solid elements and gaseous elements. Metallic or non-metallic solid elements are used as processing materials to form metal or non-metallic parts for base construction; while the remaining undecomposed star soil (12) is melted by laser and 3D printed to serve as building materials for extraterrestrial celestial bases.

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