A novel approach to the analytical modelling of an auger conveyor system for lunar regolith transportation

Auger-based transportation systems are a promising method to transport lunar regolith for in situ resource utilisation. An analytical model based on terrestrial auger conveyor industry guidelines is used to predict the behaviour and performance parameters of an auger conveyor system under a range of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Acta geotechnica 2022-12, Vol.17 (12), p.5841-5855
Main Authors: Benedi, Jorge, Just, Gunter H., Roy, Matthew J., Smith, Katharine L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aerospace engineering
Complex Fluids and Microfluidics
Density
Deviation
Energy losses
Engineering
Experimental data
Foundations
Geoengineering
Geotechnical Engineering & Applied Earth Sciences
Hydraulics
Inclination angle
Initial conditions
Lunar surface
Mathematical models
Moon
Predictions
Regolith
Research Paper
Screw conveyors
Soft and Granular Matter
Soil Science & Conservation
Solid Mechanics
Transportation systems
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Summary:Auger-based transportation systems are a promising method to transport lunar regolith for in situ resource utilisation. An analytical model based on terrestrial auger conveyor industry guidelines is used to predict the behaviour and performance parameters of an auger conveyor system under a range of initial conditions. Key aspects of the model have been validated with published experimental data. The proposed model produces more accurate predictions than previous methods and calculates the inclination angle with the best conveying efficiency. The proposed model output flow predictions have on average 47 % less deviation from the experimental data mean than previous model predictions, while the predictions for power requirements without considering energy losses present 42.9% and 59.2 % less deviation than previous predictions. When the losses are considered, the proposed model predictions are 70% and 86.4 % more accurate than the previous models, which have been found to underestimate the power requirements of this type of conveyors.
ISSN:1861-1125
1861-1133
DOI:10.1007/s11440-022-01527-3