Thermal Energy Reservoirs from Processed Lunar Regolith
Abstract
[Abstract] NASA’s plan for returning to the Moon includes the early establishment of a human outpost, where energy and power will be at a premium, particularly during the lunar night. To permit occupation during the full lunar 27 -day diurnal cycle, energy storage will be required. The use of engineered, Thermal Energy Reservoirs (TERs) is one of several energy -storage options. While actual lunar regolith is a poor thermal -mass material, it can readily be processed to yield improved thermophysical properties. Establishing the ability to produce thermal -mass materials from lunar regolith reduces the cost of bringing energy storage materials from Ea rth and provides a source of heat and supplemental electrical power during periods of darkness. This paper discusses methods of producing thermal -mass materials from lunar regolith, engineering concepts for lunar TERs, and system configurations that could provide heat and electricity. Th is paper also includes the results of preliminary calculations, bounding the potential s and limitations of lunar TERs.
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Untreated Lunar regolith has poor thermal mass properties, but it can be enhanced through methods like compacting, sintering, melting, solidifying, and incorporating high-conductivity materials to improve its thermal diffusivity.
“Although untreated Lunar regolith has poor thermal mass properties, it can be enhanced through methods like compacting, sintering, melting, solidifying, and incorporating high-conductivity materials to improve its thermal diffusivity.”
From A comprehensive review of lunar-based manufacturing and construction (2024) · cites this paper as [317]
A reference TES with 90000 kg of regolith-derived thermal mass could store between 16 to 19 GJ of energy, providing heat or power to a Lunar outpost during Lunar nights.
“They estimated that a reference TES, with 90000 kg of ''regolith-derived thermal mass'' could store between 16 to 19 GJ of energy, providing heat or power to a Lunar outpost during Lunar nights [317].”
From A comprehensive review of lunar-based manufacturing and construction (2024) · cites this paper as [317]
Processed regolith with superior thermal mass properties is suitable for TESs.
“These methods result in processed regolith with superior thermal mass properties suitable for TESs.”
From A comprehensive review of lunar-based manufacturing and construction (2024) · cites this paper as [317]
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References 2 · Cited by 10
- Authors
- Wegeng, R., Mankins, J., Taylor, L., & Sanders, G.
- Affiliations
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (US)
- Astrophysique Relativiste, Théories, Expériences, Métrologie, Instrumentation, Signaux (FR)
- University of Tennessee at Knoxville (US)
- Johnson Space Center (US)
- ORCID
- Taylor, Lawrence
- Venue
- 5th International Energy Conversion Engineering Conference and Exhibit (IECEC)
- Published
- 2007-06-18
- OpenAlex
- W2145569928
- Cited by
- 10
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 4.31
- Type
- conference paper
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- AIAA International Energy Conversion Engineering Conference (IECEC) (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Planetary Science and Exploration
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Mechanical Engineering › Phase Change Materials Research
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Aerospace Engineering › Spacecraft Design and Technology
- Keywords
- lunar regolith, lunar night, thermophysical properties
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