A device for long-term on-orbit storage of cryogenic liquid and cooling method thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses a device for storing low-temperature liquid in an orbit for a long time and a cooling method of the device. The device comprises a storage box, a box exterior initiative heat protection device and a box interior initiative cooling device. The storage box is used for storing the low-temperature liquid. The box exterior initiative heat protection device is arranged outside the storage box and used for cyclically cooling the outer wall of the storage box through a circulating medium. The box interior initiative cooling device is arranged in the storage box and used for cyclically cooling the low-temperature liquid in the storage box and controlling the pressure in the box. The method includes the steps that the circulating medium circulates in the box exterior initiative heat protection device arranged outside the storage box for cooling the outer side of the storage box; and the low-temperature liquid stored in the storage box circulates in the box interior initiative cooling device arranged in the storage box and is used for cooling low-temperature gas and the low-temperature liquid in the storage box and reducing the pressure in the box. The storage box is cooled in an interior and exterior double initiative manner, and therefore zero-evaporation storage of the low-temperature liquid in the orbit for a long time is achieved.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to the field of aerospace technology, in particular to a device for long-term on-orbit storage of cryogenic liquid and a cooling method thereof. Background technique [0002] The low-temperature propellant long-term on-orbit storage technology can be applied to multiple aerospace fields such as upper stages, lunar exploration, deep space probes, and space fuel stations. Cryogenic propellants (such as the target liquid oxygen of the present invention) are characterized by a relatively low boiling point, although the development of thermal insulation technology can make the thermal insulation performance of cryogenic storage tanks reach a very high level, there will still be more or less evaporation , resulting in an increase in the pressure inside the tank. In order to ensure the safety of the cryogenic storage tank, when the pressure in the tank rises to a certain value, the traditional method is to control the pressure in the ta...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, due to regular exhaust, during the long-term on-orbit operation of the spacecraft, a large amount of cryogenic liquid will be lost, and the utilization rate of cryogenic liquid will be greatly reduced.

[0003] in addition, there are other potential hazards in the discharge of cryogenic liquids in the space environment

First, the microgravity environment makes the gas-liquid interface uncertain. If there is no gas-liquid separator, a large amount of liquid will be discharged during the exhaust process.

Secondly, the exhausted gas will diffuse around the spacecraft due to the influence of microgravity. If it is a flammable and explosive low-temperature propellant, it will seriously endanger the safety of the spacecraft and astronauts.

In addition, regular discharge makes the carrying amount of cryogenic liquid far greater than the rated liquid demand, which directly affects the quality of the storage tank, increases the operating load, and greatly increases the launch cost

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