Continuous‐Flow Extraction of Adjacent Metals—A Disruptive Economic Window for In Situ Resource Utilization of Asteroids?. Issue 7 (29th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hessel, Volker; Tran, Nam Nghiep; Orandi, Sanaz; Asrami, Mahdieh Razi; Goodsite, Michael; Nguyen, Hung
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie international edition. Volume 60:Issue 7(2021)
• Page Start: 3368
• Page End: 3388
• Publication Date: 2020-10-29
• Subjects: asteroid mining -- continuous-flow extraction -- in situ resource utilization -- ionic liquids -- space manufacturing; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.201912205
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1433-7851

Abstract

Abstract: For the in situ resource utilization (ISRU) of asteroids, the cost–mass conundrum needs to be solved, and technologies may need to be conceptualised from first principals. By using this approach, this Review seeks to illustrate how chemical process intensification can help with the development of disruptive technologies and business matters, how this might influence space‐industry start‐ups, and even industrial transformations on Earth. The disruptive technology considered is continuous microflow solvent extraction and, as another disruptive element therein, the use of ionic liquids. The space business considered is asteroid mining, as it is probably the most challenging resource site, and the focus is on its last step: the purification of adjacent metals (cobalt versus nickel). The key economic barrier is defined as the reduction in the amount of water used in the asteroid mining process. This Review suggests a pathway toward water savings up to the technological limit of the best Earth‐based processes and their physical limits. Abstract : For in situ resource utilization (ISRU) of asteroids, the cost–mass conundrum needs to be solved, which will necessitate the development of new technologies from first principles. This Review unveils how chemical process intensification in the development of disruptive technologies and business matters. The technology considered is continuous microflow solvent extraction, as well as the use of ionic liquids.