中国科学院大学张光教授团队在最新论文中，报道了月壤钛铁矿原位选矿过程的多物理场模拟与优化。2024年10月15日，《中国科学：地球科学》发表了这一成果。

据悉，探索和利用月球资源已成为未来月球探测任务的主要目标。月球矿物的分类收集和加工是月球资源原位探测和利用的基本前提。

在本研究中，研究小组提出了一种干式磁选法从月球土壤中原位分离磁性矿物的方案。该方案通过改变具有不同磁性的月壤颗粒的运动轨迹，实现了从月壤中分离磁性矿物的目的。研究人员对干式磁选装置进行了详细的建模，并对磁参数的三维分布进行了计算和分析。在对嫦娥五号样品进行表征和分析的基础上，研究人员对月球表层颗粒的形态和物理参数也进行了建模和模拟。

对多物理场条件下月壤颗粒的运动过程进行离散元模拟，以考察关键参数对月壤磁性矿物选矿性能的影响。结果表明，在特定的磁场强度和滚筒转速条件下，月壤颗粒可实现最佳的分离选矿。此外，研究人员还分析了月球弱重力条件和月球颗粒带电性质对选矿过程的影响，结果表明，这些因素都能明显增强月球钛铁矿的选矿过程。本研究论证了采用干式磁选法从月球风化层中选矿磁性矿物的可行性，为月球矿物资源的收集、加工和利用科学任务提供了理论依据。

附：英文原文

Title: Multiphysics simulation and optimization of the in-situ beneficiation process of ilmenite minerals from lunar regolith

Author: Peng ZHANG, Xin LIU, Guanghui LIU, Wei DAI, Hanzhe YANG, Haibo ZHENG, Zhi WANG, Ran NIU, Yifan BAI, Yang ZHANG, Chengbao LIU, Ge YANG, Junwei YANG, Guang ZHANG

Issue&Volume: 2024/10/15

Abstract: The exploration and utilization of lunar resources have become the major objectives of future lunar exploration missions. The classified collection and processing of lunar minerals is the basic prerequisite for the in-situ exploration and utilization of lunar resources. In this study, we propose a scheme for in-situ separation of magnetic minerals from lunar soils using the dry magnetic separation method. The scheme can realize the purpose of separating magnetic minerals from lunar regolith by altering the motion trajectory of lunar regolith particles with different magnetic properties. Detailed modeling of the dry magnetic separation device is conducted, and the three-dimensional distribution of magnetic parameters is calculated and analyzed. Based on the characterization and analysis of the ChangE-5’s samples, the morphologies and physical parameters of lunar regolith particles are modeled and simulated. A discrete element simulation of the motion process of lunar regolith particles under multi-physical field conditions is performed, and the influences of key parameters on the beneficiation performance of lunar magnetic minerals are investigated. Our results indicate that optimal separation and beneficiation of lunar regolith particles can be achieved under specific conditions of magnetic field strength and drum speed. Additionally, we analyze the effects of lunar weak gravity conditions and the charged nature of lunar particles on the beneficiation process, showing that these factors can obviously enhance the beneficiation process of lunar ilmenites. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using the dry magnetic separation method for the beneficiation of magnetic minerals from lunar regolith, providing a theoretical basis for the scientific tasks of collecting, processing, and utilizing lunar mineral resources.

DOI: 10.1007/s11430-024-1425-y

Source: https://www.sciengine.com/SCES/doi/10.1007/s11430-024-1425-y