Document Type
Thesis - Open Access
Award Date
2023
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department / School
Mechanical Engineering
First Advisor
Todd Letcher
Keywords
computational fluid dynamics (CFD), Mars, optimization, Rodwell
Abstract
For decades, NASA has been surveying the surface of Mars with plans for human exploration. Due to recent advancements, there is strong evidence to believe that frozen aquifers beneath the Martian surface hold great amounts of usable H2O. Since the discovery of water on Mars, NASA has expressed key interest in harvesting this valuable resource. The presence of usable H2O on Mars could reduce the launching mass of future missions by giving astronauts the capability to harvest water once they have landed on Mars. This research focuses on the optimization of a current design to extract Martian water and the accurate prediction of water extraction to allow scientists to better plan for future human exploration missions on the planet.
This investigation focuses on predicting and optimizing the performance of a small-scale Rodriquez Well, or Rodwell, currently used at numerous arctic locations to reliably produce water for the inhabitants of several research stations. NASA has expressed interest in the use of the Rodwell on Mars due to its simplicity and shown effectiveness in harsh conditions. Simulations using the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) program Star CCM+ were correlated with physical results, followed by optimization of the Rodwell performance. By changing the duration of flow entering the cavity, an optimized plan of operation was developed to produce maximum ice melt per unit of energy expended.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Ice.
Mars (Planet) -- Water.
Computational fluid dynamics.
Publisher
South Dakota State University
Recommended Citation
Steers, Evan, "Initial Procedure for Small-Scale Extraction of Subsurface Martian Ice" (2023). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 622.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd2/622