System of extraction of volatiles from soil using microwave processes

US8357884B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• Edwin C. Ethridge · Huntsville, US
• William Kaukler · Huntsville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 20, 2010
• Grant date: Jan 22, 2013
• Expiry date: Apr 22, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H05B6/702
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A device for the extraction and collection of volatiles from soil or planetary regolith. The device utilizes core drilled holes to gain access to underlying volatiles below the surface. Microwave energy beamed into the holes penetrates through the soil or regolith to heat it, and thereby produces vapor by sublimation. The device confines and transports volatiles to a cold trap for collection.