Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society (한국지반공학회논문집)

Korean Geotechnical Society (한국지반공학회)
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Experimental Assessment of Microwave Sintering Efficiency Based on System Configuration and Dwell Time

시스템 구성 및 유지시간에 따른 마이크로파 소결 효율 평가

  • Lee, Jangguen (Department of Future & Smart Construction Research, Korea Institute of Civil Engrg. and Building Technology) ;
  • Jin, Hyunwoo (Department of Future & Smart Construction Research, Korea Institute of Civil Engrg. and Building Technology) ;
  • Kim, Young-Jae (Department of Future & Smart Construction Research, Korea Institute of Civil Engrg. and Building Technology)
  • 이장근 (한국건설기술연구원 미래스마트건설연구본부 ) ;
  • 진현우 (한국건설기술연구원 미래스마트건설연구본부 ) ;
  • 김영재 (한국건설기술연구원 미래스마트건설연구본부 )
  • Received : 2024.07.05
  • Accepted : 2024.07.22
  • Published : 2024.08.31
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Abstract

With the discovery of energy resources such as water ice on the Moon's surface, the Moon is attracting attention as an outpost for deep space exploration. As the concept of in situ resource utilization (ISRU) for establishing sustainable deep space exploration outposts gains traction, there is an increasing demand for technology to solidify lunar regolith as an in situ resource. In this study, sintered blocks were manufactured using a hybrid microwave sintering furnace. The effects of system configuration and dwell time on the microwave sintering efficiency were assessed. The results indicated that the composition of the SiC susceptor and its distance from the magnetron influenced the manufacturing of homogeneous sintered blocks. Additionally, varying the dwell time at a sintering temperature of 1,080℃ under optimal conditions revealed that exceeding the threshold dwell time caused the sintered blocks to become heterogeneous, thereby reducing the sintering efficiency.

최근 달에서 얼음 형태의 물 등 에너지자원이 발견됨에 따라 달은 심우주 탐사를 위한 전초기지로 주목받고 있다. 지속가능한 심우주 탐사를 위한 전초기지 구축을 위해 현지자원 활용 개념이 주목받음에 따라, 현지재료인 월면토 고형화 기술이 요구되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 보조가열재를 이용한 하이브리드 마이크로파 소결로를 활용해 인공월면토 소결 실험을 수행하며 시스템 구성 및 소결온도 유지시간이 소결체 형성에 미치는 영향을 평가하였다. 그 결과 보조가열재 구성 및 마그네트론으로부터의 거리가 균질한 소결 블록 제작에 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 또한, 소결온도(1,080℃) 유지시간을 변화시키며 소결 블록을 제작한 결과, 임계시간을 초과하여 소결온도를 유지할 경우 재료의 불균질성이 증가해 소결 효율을 감소시키는 것으로 나타났다.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 연구는 과학기술정보통신부 한국건설기술연구원 연구운영비지원(주요사업)사업으로 수행되었습니다(과제번호 20240182-001, 유인 우주기지 건설 핵심기술 협력 개발).

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