Extraction of helium-3 gas from ilmenite ore utilizing radiant solar energy

Abstract

A method and apparatus for the recovery of Helium3 (He-3) from ilmenite ore (iron titanate or FeTiO3), including recovery from the surface and near surface of a satellite such as the Moon, and extraction using solar energy and the natural rotational cycles of the satellite for the purpose of obtaining the He-3 for use in nuclear reactors for generation of pollution-free electrical power for commercial or industrial uses, as a fuel to propel space vehicles, and for other purposes, such as medical use.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of recovering Helium-3 (He-3) from titanium dioxide, including the steps of: 
 collecting a quantity of titanium dioxide having He-3 adsorbed therewith;    placing the titanium dioxide having adsorbed He-3 in an optically transparent collection vessel;    placing said collection vessel at a location where direct solar radiation will be received at said solar collector;    heating the titanium dioxide to a temperature of at least about 123 degrees Celsius to drive off the He-3 in a gaseous form; and    cooling the vaporized He-3 within said collection vessel by shading it from solar radiation so as to promote liquefication of the He-3.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said titanium dioxide is collected by obtaining a quantity of ilmenite ore (FeTiO3) having titanium dioxide therein and placing said ore in said collection vessel.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said ilmenite ore is placed on a conveyor for heating said titanium dioxide within said collection vessel.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said titanium dioxide is collected by extracting it from ilmenite ore (FeTiO3) and placing said titanium dioxide in said collection vessel.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said titanium dioxide is heated by a solar collector disposed within said collection vessel.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of shading said collection vessel is performed by placing said collection vessel on a rotating satellite.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the recited steps are repeated on a schedule determined by the rotational cycle of said satellite.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said satellite is the moon of Earth.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said satellite is Earth.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said satellite is the planet Mars.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further including the step of further cooling the He-3 as required to complete liquefication and compression thereof.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further including the step of collecting and storing the liquefied He-3 into a suitable container.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus for recovering Helium-3 (He-3) from titanium dioxide, including: 
 a solar collector suitable for receiving ilmenite ore (FeTiO3) containing titanium dioxide with He-3 adsorbed therein, said solar collector being adapted to heat the titanium dioxide to a temperature of at least about 123 degrees Celsius to drive off the He-3 in a gaseous form when said solar collector is oriented so as to directly receive radiation from the sun; and    an optically transparent collection vessel surrounding said solar collector for collecting the He-3 driven off by the heat of said solar collector, said collection vessel being adapted to allow the vaporized He-3 to cool when said solar collector becomes shaded from direct radiation from the sun.    
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said solar collector comprises a reflector.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said solar collector comprises a parabolic reflector.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further including a conveyor for conveying the ilmenite ore through said solar collector.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said collection vessel is vacuum tight, and includes at least one resealable opening for introducing the ilmenite ore into said collection vessel.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further including a cooling unit for concentrating and liquefying the He-3.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further including a container for collecting and storing the liquefied He-3 for transport.  
     
     
         20 . A system for recovering Helium-3 (He-3) from titanium dioxide, including: 
 a rotating satellite;    a solar collector, operatively associated with the satellite, and suitable for receiving ilmenite ore (FeTiO3) containing titanium dioxide with He-3 adsorbed therein, said solar collector being adapted to heat the titanium dioxide to a temperature of at least 123 degrees Celsius to drive off the He-3 in a gaseous form when the satellite and associated solar collector are oriented so as to directly receive radiation from the sun;    an optically transparent collection vessel surrounding said solar collector for collecting the He-3 driven off by the heat of said solar collector, said collection vessel being adapted to allow the vaporized He-3 to cool as the satellite rotates causing said solar collector to be shaded from direct radiation from the sun;    a cooling unit associated with said collection vessel for concentrating and liquefying the He-3; and    a container for collecting and storing the liquefied He-3 for transport from said satellite.