Aluminum recovery from laser ablated alumina using molten metal

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K20418
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0301:Mechanics of materials, production engineering, design engineering, fluid engineering, thermal engineering, mechanical dynamics, robotics, aerospace engineering, marine and maritime engineering, and related fields
• Research Institution: Doshisha University
• Principal Investigator: TANAKA Seiya 同志社大学, 研究開発推進機構, 助教 (40962048)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-08-31 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 月資源利用 / レーザーアブレーション / 金属製錬 / プラズマ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

An experimental study of aluminum dissolution into molten metal was conducted for achievement of stable aluminum recovery in laser alumina reduction method. The laser ablation generates aluminum atoms from an sintered alumina rod and produced aluminum dissolved in molten metal. A novel optical system was developed, enabling successful ablation using a 100W class laser while monitoring the plume temperature. Downstream of the ablation plume, molten Cu, melted by a coil heater, was introduced and collided with the plume. XRD analysis of the cooled Cu sample revealed the presence of CuAl-based metal mixtures and complex oxides, indicating partial success in preventing aluminum reoxidation.

Free Research Field

反応化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本アルミニウム製錬手法は従来手法にて消費していたカーボンを消費しないものである。よって消耗品ゼロである本手法は月面などの宇宙環境下においても利用可能であり、月資源からの金属・酸素生成の実現に寄与する。対し本研究は、生成したアルミニウムの安定的回収に資するものであり、将来の宇宙開発への貢献が期待される。また溶融金属中での金属酸素原子の挙動解明は材料科学分野への理学的貢献も果たす。