Project Title:

Feasibility Study for Lunar Cement Production

04.18-7500
NAS9-18312
Feasibility Study for Lunar Cement Production
Construction Technology Laboratories
	5420 Old Orchard Road
	Skokie, IL 60077
		T. D. Lin
(312-965-7500)

Abstract:

	Man-made bases on the moon will require structures capable of resisting a differential
pressure of one atmosphere as well as solar wind and radiation. Small structures
may be prefabricated on earth and transported to the moon. However, large structures
must be constructed using lunar materials. A potential material for such construction
is concrete made from lunar materials. Concrete is basically a mixture of cement,
water and aggregate. It has been shown that lunar soils can be used as aggregate
and that oxygen to produce water can be extracted from lunar ilmenite. The only terrestrial
substance needed for making concrete on the moon is hydrogen of which about 5 oz.
is required for 100 lbs. concrete. Possible methods for producing cement materials
from lunar anorthite and other lunar materials such as glasses will be explored.
Use of ultra-high-heat-flux, solar-energy-concentrator optics recently developed
at the University of Chicago will be considered as a possible mechanism to provide
heat for pyro-processing the candidate lunar materials.

Potential Commercial Application:

Potential Commercial Applications: Possible spin-offs could be the replacement of
current rotary kilns with the ultra-high flux solar energy concentrators to save
fossil fuel and minimize air pollution.