An in-situ organic waste utilization device for space environments

Abstract

The present application relates to space station waste treatment technical field, specifically to a kind of in-situ utilization device for organic waste in space environment, including pyrolysis box, and the lower part of pyrolysis box is sent into the entrance, and the side of pyrolysis box is equipped with sending-in assembly, and the top of pyrolysis box is equipped with air inlet assembly;Pyrolysis box is equipped with extrusion net inside, and the bottom wall of pyrolysis box is equipped with several sleeves and several springs, and the spring is located in the sleeve inside, and the end of spring away from the bottom wall of pyrolysis box is fixedly connected with the bottom of extrusion net;The side of pyrolysis box is equipped with processing assembly, and the lower side of processing assembly is equipped with several collection assemblies.The present application forms vacuum heat insulation zone by the utilization of space vacuum environment through heat insulation layer, ensures that pyrolysis reaction is stably carried out, improves organic waste conversion efficiency;Through the use of spring, extrusion net and thermal deformation metal, organic waste is fixed;Through sponge and condenser tube, pyrolysis gas is gas-liquid separated;Through one-way valve and gas tank, gas is collected;Through water pump and collection box, liquid is collected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of space station waste treatment technology, and more specifically to an in-situ utilization device for organic waste in the space environment. Background Technology

[0002] As human space technology continues to mature, more and more satellites, space stations, and other spacecraft are entering space, bringing great convenience to our lives. However, at the same time, the problem of space debris has gradually emerged. In recent decades, how to remove space debris and minimize the threat it poses has become a key concern for the international community.

[0003] Compared with waste incineration, landfill, and biological treatment technologies, organic waste pyrolysis has gained increasing attention in recent years as a technology with significant advantages in carbon storage, volume reduction, waste reduction, and resource utilization. The pyrolysis process utilizes the thermal instability of organic matter, heating waste organic matter in an anaerobic or oxygen-deficient environment to break its chemical bonds, altering its original molecular structure, and transforming it into hydrocarbons of different phases.

[0004] Existing in-situ utilization devices for organic waste in space environments employ microbial transformation, but this method has a long transformation cycle and a low conversion rate.

[0005] In summary, improving the in-situ utilization and conversion rate of organic waste in the space environment has become a pressing problem in this field. Therefore, it is necessary to propose an in-situ utilization device for organic waste in the space environment. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention discloses an in-situ utilization device for organic waste in the space environment. It utilizes the vacuum environment of space through a heat insulation layer to form a vacuum insulation zone, ensuring stable pyrolysis reactions and improving the conversion efficiency of organic waste. The device uses springs, a compression mesh, and heat-deformable metal to fix the organic waste. It uses a sponge and a condenser tube to achieve gas-liquid separation of the pyrolysis gas. It uses a one-way valve and a gas storage tank to collect the gas. It uses a water pump and a collection box to collect the liquid.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of the present invention is as follows:

[0008] An in-situ utilization device for organic waste in a space environment includes a pyrolysis chamber with an inlet at the bottom and a feeding assembly on one side for feeding organic waste into the chamber. An air inlet is located at the top of the chamber, and an air intake assembly at the top for feeding hot air into the chamber. An extrusion mesh is installed inside the pyrolysis chamber. Several sleeves and springs are fixedly connected to the bottom wall of the chamber, with the springs located inside the sleeves. The ends of the springs furthest from the bottom wall are fixedly connected to the bottom of the extrusion mesh. An air outlet is located on the side wall of the pyrolysis chamber. A processing assembly for processing pyrolysis products is located on one side of the chamber, and several collection assemblies for collecting pyrolysis products are located below the processing assembly.

[0009] The technical principles of the above solution are as follows:

[0010] Organic waste is fed into the pyrolysis chamber through the inlet of the feeding component. Hot air is introduced into the pyrolysis chamber by the air inlet component to pyrolyze the organic waste. After entering the pyrolysis chamber, the organic waste pushes up the extrusion screen, which then limits the movement of the organic waste. During pyrolysis, the mass and volume of the organic waste decrease, and the extrusion screen continues to limit the movement of the organic waste under the action of spring contraction force. A sleeve limits the position of the extrusion screen, ensuring that the horizontal height of the extrusion screen is higher than the feeding inlet. The pyrolysis gas generated during the pyrolysis process enters the processing component. After the processing component has processed the pyrolysis gas, the collection component collects the pyrolysis products.

[0011] Furthermore, the feeding assembly includes a feeding pipe, one end of which is connected to the interior of the pyrolysis chamber through a feeding inlet, and the other end of the feeding pipe away from the pyrolysis chamber is connected to a waste chamber; a conveyor belt is fixedly connected inside the feeding pipe, and several baffles are fixedly connected to the conveyor belt; the conveyor belt is electrically connected to a controller, which is used to control the operation of the conveyor belt.

[0012] Beneficial effects: Precise control of the conveyor belt via the controller enables continuous and stable transport of organic waste. This design ensures that organic waste is continuously and uninterruptedly fed into the pyrolysis chamber, improving the efficiency of organic waste treatment. Simultaneously, because organic waste is in a weightless state in space, the baffle design allows it to be propelled by the baffles, thus accurately entering the pyrolysis chamber.

[0013] Furthermore, the air intake assembly includes an air intake box, with a partition fixedly connected to the inner wall of the air intake box. The partition divides the interior of the air intake box into an air storage chamber and a heating chamber. The air storage chamber is filled with inert gas, and a hot air blower is fixedly connected to the bottom wall of the heating chamber. The air storage chamber is connected to the hot air blower, and the hot air blower is electrically connected to a controller. The controller is used to control the operation of the hot air blower.

[0014] Beneficial effects: Using inert gas as the heating medium greatly improves the overall safety of the device. Since the gas storage chamber is connected to the heating chamber, the inert gas is pre-stored in the gas storage chamber and then heated by a hot air blower, achieving efficient heating of the inert gas. This design allows for precise control of the inert gas temperature.

[0015] Furthermore, the processing assembly includes a processing box, which is connected to the interior of the pyrolysis chamber via an air outlet. Inside the processing box, several moisture-blocking components are equidistantly arranged along its length. A pipe connects to the side of the processing box away from the air outlet, and a one-way valve and a gas storage tank are sequentially connected to the end of the pipe away from the processing box. Several electrically operated slide rails are fixedly connected at equal intervals along the length of the top and bottom walls of the processing box. Vertically, adjacent electrically operated slide rails are slidably fitted with water outlet nets. All electrically operated slide rails are electrically connected to a controller, which controls the operation of the slide rails. Beneficial effects: The equidistantly arranged barrier components inside the processing box effectively block and absorb moisture generated during the pyrolysis of organic waste. The pyrolysis gas enters the gas storage tank through the one-way valve for storage.

[0016] Furthermore, the barrier assembly includes a sponge fixedly connected to the inner wall of the processing chamber, and each sponge has a condenser tube fixedly connected inside.

[0017] Beneficial effects: The cooling medium flowing inside the condenser effectively absorbs and removes the heat released by the liquid or gas inside the treatment chamber, causing the high-temperature, high-pressure gas or vapor to condense rapidly into liquid, thereby reducing the temperature and pressure inside the treatment chamber. Simultaneously, due to the sponge's strong water absorption, the condensed liquid is absorbed by the sponge, achieving initial liquid collection.

[0018] Furthermore, all condenser tubes are S-shaped.

[0019] Beneficial effects: The S-shaped design allows for higher space utilization of the condenser tube within the same length, increasing the contact area between the liquid and the cooling medium. This facilitates more thorough heat exchange with the cooling medium, improving condensation efficiency. The S-shaped bend guides the condensate to form a thin film flow within the tube, enhancing heat transfer efficiency. Simultaneously, the bend design helps reduce condensate buildup within the tube, minimizing blockages and ensuring unobstructed flow.

[0020] Furthermore, the collection assembly includes a collection tank that communicates with the treatment tank. A water pump and a water filter are fixedly connected to the inner wall of the collection tank. The water pumps are all connected to the inside of the treatment tank and are electrically connected to the controller, which is used to control the operation of the water pumps.

[0021] Beneficial effects: The water pump uses suction to collect water droplets lost in mid-air, while the water filter effectively removes suspended solids, particulate matter, microorganisms, and other impurities and contaminants from the liquid entering the collection tank. This helps improve the cleanliness of the collected liquid, providing a higher quality water source for subsequent treatment or reuse.

[0022] Furthermore, filters are fixedly connected to both the air inlet and the air outlet.

[0023] Beneficial effects: The filter design confines organic waste within the pyrolysis chamber in a weightless environment, reducing the possibility of organic waste entering the treatment chamber and contaminating the pyrolysis products. Simultaneously, by reducing the loss of organic waste, the utilization rate of organic waste is improved during the pyrolysis operation.

[0024] Furthermore, the inner walls of the extruded mesh are all fixedly connected with heat-deformable metal.

[0025] Beneficial effects: During the reaction of organic waste, the controller directs the hot air blower to heat the inert gas introduced into the pyrolysis chamber. The heat-deformed metal deforms upon heating, and the degree of deformation increases with rising temperature, resulting in a smaller mesh size in the extrusion mesh. Because the volume of organic waste decreases during pyrolysis, the reduced mesh size further enhances the ability to confine the organic waste.

[0026] Furthermore, connecting frames are fixedly connected between the pyrolysis box and the air inlet box, between the pyrolysis box and the processing box, and between the processing box and the gas storage box; and heat insulation layers are fixedly connected to the surfaces of the pyrolysis box, the air inlet box, the processing box, the gas storage box, the collection box, and the pipelines.

[0027] Beneficial effects: Compared with direct welding, using a connecting frame allows for a larger exposed area of ​​the entire device in a vacuum environment, resulting in less heat loss during operation, thereby improving energy utilization and reducing energy consumption.

[0028] The above approach has the following beneficial effects:

[0029] 1. This solution improves the conversion efficiency of organic waste by pyrolyzing the organic waste inside the pyrolysis chamber; it fixes the organic waste by using springs and extrusion mesh; it separates the pyrolysis gas into gas and liquid by using a processing component; and it collects the pyrolysis products by using a collection component.

[0030] 2. This solution enables in-situ treatment of organic waste in the space environment, reducing the need to transport waste back to Earth or to other treatment facilities, thereby significantly reducing transportation costs and potential risks.

[0031] 3. In this design, the combination of extrusion mesh and springs inside the device effectively maintains uniform distribution and good contact of waste during pyrolysis, improving pyrolysis efficiency. Simultaneously, the design of the air inlet assembly ensures uniform distribution of hot air within the pyrolysis chamber, further promoting the pyrolysis reaction.

[0032] 4. In this design, the device uses a spring and sleeve structure to support the extruded mesh, ensuring the stability and reliability of the device in a microgravity environment. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 This is an isometric schematic diagram of an embodiment of the organic waste in-situ utilization device for the space environment according to the present invention;

[0034] Figure 2 This is a side cross-sectional schematic diagram of an embodiment of the organic waste in-situ utilization device for the space environment according to the present invention;

[0035] Figure 3 This is a front sectional view of the conveyor belt in an embodiment of the organic waste in-situ utilization device for the space environment according to the present invention.

[0036] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0037] 1. Pyrolysis chamber; 2. Extrusion mesh; 3. Sleeve; 4. Spring; 5. Feed pipe; 6. Conveyor belt; 7. Baffle; 8. Air inlet box; 9. Partition; 10. Hot air blower; 11. Processing box; 12. Pipeline; 13. Check valve; 14. Gas storage box; 15. Electric slide rail; 16. Sponge; 17. Condenser pipe; 18. Collection box; 19. Water filter; 20. Heat-deformed metal. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The present invention will be further illustrated below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the following specific embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It should be noted that the terms "front," "rear," "left," "right," "up," and "down" used in the following description refer to directions in the accompanying drawings, and the terms "inner" and "outer" refer to directions toward or away from the geometric center of a specific component, respectively.

[0039] Example 1:

[0040] As attached Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown: An in-situ utilization device for organic waste in a space environment includes a pyrolysis box 1, with a feeding inlet at the bottom of the pyrolysis box 1, and a feeding component for feeding organic waste into the pyrolysis box 1 on one side.

[0041] The feeding assembly includes a feeding pipe 5, one end of which is connected to the interior of the pyrolysis chamber 1 through a feeding inlet, and the other end of the feeding pipe 5 away from the pyrolysis chamber 1 is connected to a waste chamber; a conveyor belt 6 is bolted to the inside of the feeding pipe 5, and several baffles 7 are welded on the conveyor belt 6; the conveyor belt 6 is electrically connected to a controller, which is used to control the operation of the conveyor belt 6.

[0042] The top of the pyrolysis chamber 1 has an air inlet, and the top of the pyrolysis chamber 1 is equipped with an air intake assembly for inputting hot air into the pyrolysis chamber 1.

[0043] The air intake assembly includes an air intake box 8. A partition 9 is welded to the inner wall of the air intake box 8. The partition 9 divides the interior of the air intake box 8 into an air storage chamber and a heating chamber. The air storage chamber is filled with inert gas. A hot air blower 10 is bolted to the bottom wall of the heating chamber. The air storage chamber is connected to the hot air blower 10. The hot air blower 10 is electrically connected to a controller. The controller is used to control the operation of the hot air blower 10.

[0044] The pyrolysis chamber 1 is equipped with an extrusion mesh 2. Several sleeves 3 and several springs 4 are welded to the bottom wall of the pyrolysis chamber 1. The springs 4 are all located inside the sleeves 3. The ends of the springs 4 away from the bottom wall of the pyrolysis chamber 1 are welded to the bottom of the extrusion mesh 2. The side wall of the pyrolysis chamber 1 has an air outlet. A processing component for processing pyrolysis products is provided on one side of the pyrolysis chamber 1. Several collection components for collecting pyrolysis products are provided below the processing component.

[0045] The processing assembly includes a processing box 11, which is connected to the interior of the pyrolysis box 1 through an air outlet; the interior of the processing box 11 is provided with a number of barrier components for blocking moisture at equal intervals along its length.

[0046] The collection assembly includes a collection tank 18 that is connected to the treatment tank 11. A water pump and a water filter 19 are bolted to the inner wall of the collection tank 18. The water pumps are connected to the inside of the treatment tank 11 and are electrically connected to the controller, which is used to control the operation of the water pumps.

[0047] The treatment box 11 is connected to a pipe 12 on the side away from the air outlet. The end of the pipe 12 away from the treatment box 11 is connected to a one-way valve 13 and an air storage box 14 in sequence. Several electric slide rails 15 are bolted to the inner top wall and inner bottom wall of the treatment box 11 at equal intervals along the length direction. Water outlets are slidably fitted between adjacent electric slide rails 15 in the vertical direction. All electric slide rails 15 are electrically connected to the controller, which is used to control the operation of the electric slide rails 15.

[0048] The barrier assembly includes a sponge 16 bonded to the inner wall of the processing chamber 11, and each sponge 16 has a condenser tube 17 embedded inside it. The condenser tube 17 is S-shaped.

[0049] Connecting frames are welded between pyrolysis box 1 and air inlet box 8, between pyrolysis box 1 and processing box 11, and between processing box 11 and gas storage box 14; heat insulation layers are bonded to the surfaces of pyrolysis box 1, air inlet box 8, processing box 11, gas storage box 14, collection box 18 and pipe 12.

[0050] The specific implementation process is as follows: The operator enters the waste chamber, places the organic waste in the movement path of the baffle 7, and starts the entire device through the controller. After the conveyor belt 6 starts, it drives the baffle 7 to move, and then brings the organic waste in the movement path of the baffle 7 into the pyrolysis box 1 through the feed pipe 5, lifting the extrusion mesh 2. At this time, under the contraction force of the spring 4, the extrusion mesh 2 will squeeze and fix the organic waste.

[0051] The hot air blower 10 starts, heating the inert gas and then delivering it to the pyrolysis chamber 1 to pyrolyze the organic waste. In this embodiment, nitrogen is used as the inert gas. After pyrolyzing the organic waste, the inert gas generates pyrolysis gas, which enters the treatment chamber 11 through the air outlet. When the pyrolysis gas passes through the sponge 16, the moisture it gains from the organic waste is absorbed, and the condenser 17 cools both the sponge 16 and the pyrolysis gas. The pyrolysis gas then enters the storage chamber through the pipe 12 and the one-way valve 13, thus achieving the storage of the pyrolysis gas.

[0052] like Figure 2 As shown, when the electric slide rail 15 is started, it drives the water outlet net to reciprocate within the electric slide rail 15, squeezing out the water inside the sponge 16. At this time, the water pump starts, drawing water from the air into the collection box 18, where it is filtered by the water filter 19, thus completing the water collection.

[0053] like Figure 2 As shown, the volume and mass of organic waste decrease during the pyrolysis process. As the volume of organic waste decreases, the lifting force of organic waste on the extrusion mesh 2 also decreases. Consequently, the extrusion mesh 2 will move downward under the action of the contraction force of the spring 4, thereby achieving further extrusion of the organic waste.

[0054] The design of the sleeve 3 provides a limit for the extrusion mesh 2, ensuring that the horizontal height of the extrusion mesh 2 is always higher than the inlet, reducing the possibility that organic waste may enter above the extrusion mesh 2 due to the horizontal height of the extrusion mesh 2 being lower than the inlet, making it impossible for the extrusion mesh 2 to fix it.

[0055] Since the entire device is located in the space environment, the design of the connecting frame can increase the exposed area of ​​the device in the vacuum environment, thereby reducing heat loss during operation and improving energy utilization. The heat insulation layer utilizes the vacuum environment of space to form a vacuum insulation layer, ensuring the stable progress of the pyrolysis reaction.

[0056] Example 2:

[0057] As attached Figure 2 As shown, the difference from Embodiment 1 is that filters are welded to both the air inlet and the air outlet.

[0058] The specific implementation process is as follows: After the organic waste has been pyrolyzed for a period of time, its volume and mass decrease. Since the entire device is located in space, the organic waste is in a weightless state. When the hot air blower 10 delivers heated inert gas into the pyrolysis chamber 1, the movement of the organic waste within the chamber increases, potentially causing it to move towards the air inlet and outlet. The filter design restricts the movement of the organic waste within the pyrolysis chamber 1, thereby reducing the possibility of organic waste entering the treatment chamber 11 and contaminating the pyrolysis products. Simultaneously, because the movement of the organic waste is restricted within the pyrolysis chamber 1, the utilization efficiency of the organic waste is also improved.

[0059] Example 3:

[0060] As attached Figure 2 As shown, the difference from Example 2 is that the inner sidewalls of the mesh of the extruded mesh 2 are all welded with heat-deformable metal 20.

[0061] The specific implementation process is as follows: When the device is running, since the organic waste needs to be pyrolyzed, the controller will control the hot air blower 10 to raise the temperature of the inert gas according to the pyrolysis time to ensure the smooth progress of pyrolysis. When the temperature of the inert gas rises, the heat-deformed metal 20 is heated more, and the resulting deformation increases. At this time, under the deformation of the heat-deformed metal 20, the diameter of the mesh of the extrusion mesh 2 will shrink, and the degree of shrinkage is proportional to the deformation of the heat-deformed metal 20.

[0062] The technical means disclosed in this invention are not limited to those disclosed in the above embodiments, but also include technical solutions composed of any combination of the above technical features.

Claims

1. A device for in-situ utilization of organic waste in a space environment, characterized in that, The pyrolysis chamber (1) includes an inlet at the bottom and a feeding assembly on one side for feeding organic waste into the chamber. An air inlet is located at the top of the chamber, and an air intake assembly is provided at the top for feeding hot air into the chamber. An extrusion mesh (2) is installed inside the pyrolysis chamber (1). Several sleeves (3) and several springs (4) are fixedly connected to the bottom wall of the chamber. All springs (4) are located inside the sleeves (3), and the ends of the springs (4) furthest from the bottom wall of the chamber are connected to the bottom of the extrusion mesh (2). The pyrolysis chamber (1) is fixedly connected to the side wall and has an air outlet. A processing component for processing pyrolysis products is provided on one side of the pyrolysis chamber (1), and several collection components for collecting pyrolysis products are provided below the processing component. The feeding component includes a feeding pipe (5), one end of which is connected to the inside of the pyrolysis chamber (1) through a feeding inlet, and the other end of the feeding pipe (5) away from the pyrolysis chamber (1) is connected to a waste chamber. A conveyor belt (6) is fixedly connected inside the feeding pipe (5), and several baffles (7) are fixedly connected on the conveyor belt (6). The conveyor belt (6) is electrically connected to a controller, which is used to control the transmission. The conveyor belt (6) operates; the air intake assembly includes an air intake box (8), the inner wall of which is fixedly connected to a partition (9), which divides the interior of the air intake box (8) into a gas storage chamber and a heating chamber. The gas storage chamber is filled with inert gas, and the bottom wall of the heating chamber is fixedly connected to a hot air blower (10). The gas storage chamber is connected to the hot air blower (10), and the hot air blower (10) is electrically connected to a controller. The controller is used to control the operation of the hot air blower (10); the processing assembly includes a processing box (11), which is connected to the interior of the pyrolysis box (1) through an air outlet; the processing box (11) contains The part is provided with several barrier components for blocking moisture at equal intervals along the length direction. The side of the treatment box (11) away from the air outlet is connected to a pipe (12). The end of the pipe (12) away from the treatment box (11) is connected to a one-way valve (13) and an air storage box (14) in sequence. Several electric slide rails (15) are fixedly connected at equal intervals along the length direction on the top and bottom walls of the treatment box (11). Water outlet nets are slidably fitted between adjacent electric slide rails (15) in the vertical direction. The electric slide rails (15) are all electrically connected to the controller. The controller is used to control the operation of the electric slide rails (15).

2. The in-situ organic waste utilization device for space environment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The barrier assembly includes a sponge (16) fixedly connected to the inner wall of the processing box (11), and a condenser tube (17) is fixedly connected inside the sponge (16).

3. The in-situ organic waste utilization device for space environment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The condenser tubes (17) are all S-shaped.

4. The in-situ utilization device for organic waste in the space environment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The collection assembly includes a collection tank (18) that is connected to the treatment tank (11). A water pump and a water filter (19) are fixedly connected to the inner wall of the collection tank (18). The water pumps are connected to the inside of the treatment tank (11) and are electrically connected to the controller. The controller is used to control the operation of the water pumps.

5. The in-situ utilization device for organic waste in the space environment according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the air inlet and outlet are fixedly connected with filters.

6. The in-situ utilization device for organic waste in the space environment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner walls of the mesh openings of the extruded mesh (2) are all fixedly connected with heat-deformable metal (20).

7. The in-situ organic waste utilization device for space environment according to claim 4, characterized in that, A connecting frame is fixedly connected between the pyrolysis box (1) and the air inlet box (8), between the pyrolysis box (1) and the processing box (11), and between the processing box (11) and the gas storage box (14); a heat insulation layer is fixedly connected to the surface of the pyrolysis box (1), the air inlet box (8), the processing box (11), the gas storage box (14), the collection box (18), and the pipe (12).

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