Difference between revisions of "Sulfur"

From Lunarpedia
Jump to: navigation, search
(added discussion of troilite)
(Trolite is not magnetic, added changes to reflect methods of gathering)
 
(One intermediate revision by the same user not shown)
Line 43: Line 43:
 
<BR/><BR/>
 
<BR/><BR/>
  
Sulfur is availible in lunar soil in significant quantities, principally in the form of troilite ([[Iron|Fe]]S), comprising around 1% of the lunar crust<ref name="wikisulfur">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troilite Sulfur on Wikipedia]</ref>. Magnetic benefication may be able to concentrate troilite out of the lunar regolith, as it is weakly magnetic when the crystal structure is incomplete, as well as being commonly associated with native iron<ref name="wikisulfur"> </ref>. In addition, concentrated veins of troilite have been found in some lunar rocks, and it has been suggested that larger deposits of the mineral may exist<ref>I. Casanova. [http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc97/pdf/1483.PDF Feasibility and Applications of Sulfur Concrete for Lunar Base Development: A Preliminary Study.] Lunar and Planetary Science XXVIII</ref>.
+
Sulfur is availible in lunar soil in significant quantities, principally in the form of troilite ([[Iron|Fe]]S), comprising around 1% of the lunar crust<ref name="wikisulfur">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troilite Troilite on Wikipedia]</ref>. In addition, concentrated veins of troilite have been found in some lunar rocks, and it has been suggested that larger deposits of the mineral may exist<ref>I. Casanova. [http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc97/pdf/1483.PDF Feasibility and Applications of Sulfur Concrete for Lunar Base Development: A Preliminary Study.] Lunar and Planetary Science XXVIII</ref>.
 +
 
 +
Troilite is non-magnetic when its crystal structure is complete. However, it is commonly associated with native iron in the lunar regolith. As such, [[Iron Beneficiation|magnetic gathering of iron fines]] could produce a significant amount of troilite as a byproduct. Troilite may also be separable from the lunar regolith by a combination of mechanical sifting and electrostatic beneficiation.
  
 
Several uses have been proposed for lunar sulfur, including [[In-Situ Propellant Production|rocket propellant]], production of sulfuric acid for industrial processes, lunar concrete, and sealants<ref>[http://www.nss.org/settlement/moon/library/LB2-509-UsesOfLunarSulfur.pdf V. T. Vaniman, D. R. Pettit, G. Heiken. "Uses of Lunar Sulfur" Los Alamos National Laboratory, 1988]</ref>.
 
Several uses have been proposed for lunar sulfur, including [[In-Situ Propellant Production|rocket propellant]], production of sulfuric acid for industrial processes, lunar concrete, and sealants<ref>[http://www.nss.org/settlement/moon/library/LB2-509-UsesOfLunarSulfur.pdf V. T. Vaniman, D. R. Pettit, G. Heiken. "Uses of Lunar Sulfur" Los Alamos National Laboratory, 1988]</ref>.

Latest revision as of 12:07, 22 September 2011

Sulfur
S
In situ availability: good
Necessity:
Atomic number: 16
Atomic mass: 32.066
group: 16
period: 3
normal phase: Solid
series: Non-metals
density: (alpha) 2.07 g/cm3

(beta) 1.96 g/cm3
(gamma) 1.92 g/cm3

melting point: 388.36K,
115.21°C,
239.38°F
boiling point: 717.8K,
444.6°C,
832.3°F
NOF
P ← S → Cl
AsSeBr
Atomic radius (pm): 100
Bohr radius (pm): 88
Covalent radius (pm): 102
Van der Waals radius (pm): 180
ionic radius (pm): (-2) 184
1st ion potential (eV): 10.36
Electron Configuration
1s2
2s2 2p6
3s2 3p4
Electrons Per Shell
2, 8, 6
Electronegativity: 2.58
Electron Affinity: 2.08
Oxidation states: +/-2, 4, 6
Magnetism: ?
Crystal structure: Orthorhombic

Sulfur is a Non-metal in group 16. It has a Orthorhombic crystalline structure. This element has 4 stable isotopes: 32, 33, 34, and 36.

Sulfur is availible in lunar soil in significant quantities, principally in the form of troilite (FeS), comprising around 1% of the lunar crust[1]. In addition, concentrated veins of troilite have been found in some lunar rocks, and it has been suggested that larger deposits of the mineral may exist[2].

Troilite is non-magnetic when its crystal structure is complete. However, it is commonly associated with native iron in the lunar regolith. As such, magnetic gathering of iron fines could produce a significant amount of troilite as a byproduct. Troilite may also be separable from the lunar regolith by a combination of mechanical sifting and electrostatic beneficiation.

Several uses have been proposed for lunar sulfur, including rocket propellant, production of sulfuric acid for industrial processes, lunar concrete, and sealants[3].

References