A specially designed spherical disc valve manufactured by Gemco Valve Company is being tested as part of a system that will extract oxygen from volcanic ash rich in minerals. The recovered oxygen will be used by the lunar space station that NASA plans to construct as part of extended habitation on the moon.

The Gemco Valve is designed to handle lunar ash, which consists of abrasive solid particles from a few microns to less than one micron in diameter. Rich in metal oxides, it releases gaseous oxygen when heated to extremely high temperatures.

The tests involve use of a simulant*, an abrasive powder specially formulated to simulate the composition of Lunar Regolith. During the test, the powder is repeatedly cycled through the valve, which opens and closes continuously to make sure it does not clog or jam. Preliminary tests to date have been very successful.

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When the spherical disk rotates to the open position, it swings completely out of the path of the powder, which flows freely because there are no obstacles to block its way. Because the powder is so abrasive, the surfaces of the stainless steel valve are coated with a proprietary hard Tungsten/Cobalt coating, which is hand lapped with diamond paste to assure a smooth surface that prevents submicron particles from being entrapped between the seal and the seat. Several specially designed Gemco Valves will be supplied to NASA for additional testing.

*The Lunar regolith simulant used in the Gemco Valve test contains Silicon Oxide SiO2, Titanium Dioxide TiO2, Aluminum Oxide Al2O3, Ferric Oxide Fe2O3, Iron Oxide FeO, Magnesium Oxide MgO, Calcium Oxide CaO, Sodium Oxide Na2O, Potassium Oxide K2O, Manganese Oxide MnO, Chromium III Oxide Cr2O3 and Diphosphorus Pentoxide P2O5

For further information, contact Jim Lenihan at Gemco Valve at 800-OK-GEMCO/800-654-3626,
international +1 732 752 7900 extension 305 or click here .