Reliable, robust methods for separation of granular materials that operate independent of gravity level would be useful for many applications in space exploration. Utilizing centrifugal force as the primary body-force, combined with shearing flow and vibratory motion the centrifugal-sieve separator can provide efficient gravity-level-independent size classification of granular feedstock like lunar regolith. A test apparatus has been built using a size-separating screen at the outside of the flow that will separate particles, with the fines passing through the outer wall screen, and the coarse material passing axially through the continuous feed system. The test apparatus is designed for semi-autonomous operation during reduced-gravity flights, and/or under vacuum conditions.
Centrifugal Sieve for Size-Segregation and Beneficiation of Regolith
Thirteenth ASCE Aerospace Division Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments, and the 5th NASA/ASCE Workshop On Granular Materials in Space Exploration ; 2012 ; Pasadena, California, United States
Earth and Space 2012 ; 31-35
2012-04-17
Conference paper
Electronic Resource
English
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