Device and method for filling solid lithium propellant pipeline

Abstract

The invention provides a device and method for filling a solid lithium propellant pipeline. The device comprises an argon gas circuit sub-device, a cooling water control sub-device and a lithium propellant supply sub-device, wherein the lithium propellant supply sub-device is arranged in a vacuum chamber; outer walls of a lithium storage box, a lithium transfer storage box and a propellant pipeline in the lithium propellant supply sub-device are respectively provided with a heating film; a cooling valve is arranged on the propellant pipe between the lithium transfer storage box and an engine; the argon gas sub-device supplies gas pressure for the lithium storage box; and the cooling water control sub-device supplies cooling water for the cooling valve. According to the method disclosed by the invention, the propellant pipe at the downstream of the lithium transfer storage box is blocked by introducing the cooling water to the cooling valve, and solid alkali metal lithium is liquefied by the heating films and is then extruded into the lithium transfer storage box. The device and method disclosed by the invention has higher operability and practicability, realizes stable filling of the solid alkali metal lithium propellant in the lithium transfer storage box and the propellant pipeline and further provides the stable lithium propellant for an engine ground test.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to a set of solid propellant pipeline filling device and method suitable for electric propulsion engine test, in particular to a pipeline filling technology of solid alkali metal propellant—lithium (Lithium). Background technique [0002] The magnetoplasma dynamic engine (MPDT) is a typical electromagnetic space electric propulsion system, which has the advantages of high specific impulse, large thrust range, long life, high control accuracy, and repeatable start. It has broad application prospects in missions such as space exploration and interstellar navigation. [0003] The propellant of the magnetoplasma dynamic engine can use hydrogen, lithium, neon, argon, xenon, etc., and use the interaction between the magnetic field and the current to generate the Lorentz force to accelerate the plasma state propellant to generate thrust, so it is also called the Lorentz force Accelerator (Lorentz Force Accelerator). Research on various...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

In view of the strong reducibility of lithium, it reacts violently with water, and is solid at room temperature, so the filling method of liquid pipeline and gas pipeline is no longer applicable to the filling of lithium propellant pipeline and device

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