Pyrometer for Regolith-Extracted Oxygen

Hedgefog Research Inc. (HFR) is developing a multicolor Pyrometer for Regolith-extracted Oxygen (PyRO) for use in foundries designed to extract oxygen from lunar regolith on the surface of the Moon. The flexible design of the sensor allows for accurate temperature determination for systems with well-known emissivity values as well as accurate high-temperature measurement for systems in which the temperature- and wavelength-dependent emissivities are unknown. Crucially for this application, the sensor will be constructed to operate in a dust-proof, non-outgassing package under significant radiant heating loads and a highly corrosive environment without polluting extracted oxygen/water/metals. While optimized for several methods of resource extraction from lunar highland regolith, PyRO is adaptable for non-contact temperature measurement of any practical system. The vacuum-compatible design and low size, weight and power requirements will allow for a portable version to be developed for use by human or robotic settlers beyond Earth. In Phase I, HFR built a PyRO prototype, evaluated its performance in non-contact temperature measurement, and down-selected key components and enabling technologies for future development. We have also produced a preliminary design for the fully-packaged PyRO prototype optimized for temperature stability, corrosion resistance, and lunar deployment that will be constructed during the Phase II effort. Existing non-contact temperature measurement solutions require detailed foreknowledge of a material’s emissivity behavior. Commercially available solutions designed for high performance applications are often fiber-optically coupled with external non-ruggedized electronics, which adds to their complexity and makes them less easily adaptable to the rigors of space exploration.   PyRO has demonstrated excellent performance and is fundamentally simple, robust in operation, and space-ready. The innovations achieved by PyRO mark it as an ideal device with which to perform non-contact temperature measurement for a wide variety of Lunar and Terrestrial industrial processes.     - Technical Objectives and Proposed Deliverables:   Objective 1.      Development of a fully integrated PyRO sensor device.   Objective 2.      Demonstration of the PyRO capability to make accurate non-contact temperature measurements under representative conditions.   Objective 3.      Analysis of the system cost and definition of commercial markets.     -  Proposed Deliverables:     As Phase II Deliverables, HFR will   Prepare and submit a new technology summary report, a new technology report if technology is developed, and technical progress reports in accordance with contract requirements   Deliver a prototype to NASA at the end of Phase II.  

Accurate non-contact temperature measurement is a ubiquitous requirement in all types of material processing. Any long-term extraterrestrial human settlement must necessarily have well-developed facilities for in-situ resource utilization. Optimizing these utilization processes requires careful control of all experimental parameters, including temperature. In addition, a compact, extremely rugged non-contact temperature sensor will find use in non-destructive component inspection and performance evaluation for high temperature devices. A pyrometer optimized for operation in vacuum and under harsh process conditions will find use in an array of material processing and laboratory environments requiring non-contact high temperature measurements. Commercially available pyrometers are tailored for chosen industrial processes. The flexibility and process tolerance of PyRO will make it an attractive commercial technology.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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