Solid iodine working substance liquefied crystallization device

Abstract

The application provides a solid iodine working fluid liquefaction crystallization device, which comprises a solid iodine liquefaction container, a circular table type separation device, a connecting pipeline, a heating assembly, a piston assembly and a nitrogen blowing device. 3 The solid iodine particle liquefaction solidification forms iodine crystals with a density of 4.93 g / cm 3 , the packing density is improved, more fuel can be stored for supplying an electric propulsion system, and the solid electric propulsion system can be rapidly developed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of aerospace electric propulsion technology, and in particular to a solid iodine working fluid liquefaction and crystallization device. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of aerospace technology, the demands on spacecraft propulsion systems for space missions are becoming increasingly diversified. Commercial satellites require space propulsion systems that are low-cost and cost-effective to enhance their market competitiveness. To meet the needs of space missions in various fields such as military, commerce, and scientific research, space propulsion technology has been continuously developed and improved.

[0003] Conventional rockets use chemical reactions for propulsion. In contrast, electric thrusters rely on electricity to accelerate propellant, such as charged ions, out of the spacecraft, thereby generating thrust. Electric thrusters are highly efficient at generating thrust because they require only a small amount of propellant. Currently, electric propulsion technology is in a stage of widespread application internationally. Driven by the ever-increasing demands of space missions, various new types of electric propulsion are constantly emerging both domestically and internationally, promoting the proposal and realization of new space missions that are difficult or even impossible to accomplish with traditional chemical propulsion.

[0004] A novel electric micro-propulsion technology is emerging, which addresses the issue of reduced specific impulse by employing a solid-state iodine propellant. This approach combines the advantages of high-density propellant storage, low system cost, and low dry weight. Currently, both domestic and international researchers are actively engaged in research on solid-state iodine electric propulsion technology.

[0005] However, due to the solid iodine particles, vibrations during launch and spacecraft orbital motion can cause the solid iodine to break apart, potentially damaging the propulsion system and causing other problems. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The summary section of this invention provides a brief overview of the concepts, which will be described in detail in the detailed description section that follows. This summary section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed technical solutions, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed technical solutions.

[0007] Some embodiments of the present invention provide a solid iodine working fluid liquefaction and crystallization apparatus to solve the technical problems mentioned in the background section above.

[0008] The solid iodine working medium liquefaction crystallization device includes:

[0009] A solid iodine liquefaction container, used to provide a dry environment for holding solid iodine particles;

[0010] A frustum-shaped separation device is installed inside the solid iodine liquefaction container to divide the solid iodine liquefaction container into a solid iodine particle placement area and a bottom liquefaction area;

[0011] A connecting pipeline and an iodine crystallization tank are provided. The two ends of the connecting pipeline are respectively connected to the bottom liquefaction zone and the iodine crystallization tank. The iodine crystallization tank is used to receive liquid iodine and form iodine crystals.

[0012] A heating component is disposed on the outer wall of the solid iodine liquefaction container and the connecting pipeline to provide the liquefaction temperature for the solid iodine particles;

[0013] A piston assembly is installed on top of the solid iodine liquefaction container to push liquid iodine into the iodine crystallization tank;

[0014] A nitrogen purging device, connected to the iodine crystallization tank, is used to replace impurity gases in the iodine crystallization tank before liquid iodine enters it.

[0015] Optionally, the cross-section of the frustum-shaped separation device is trapezoidal, and the diameter of the frustum-shaped separation device gradually decreases from top to bottom.

[0016] Optionally, a separation net is fixed at the bottom of the frustum-shaped separation device, and the separation net has a specification of ≤10um.

[0017] Optionally, a first valve is provided on the connecting pipeline for opening or closing the connecting pipeline.

[0018] Optionally, the heating assembly includes a flexible heating element and a power supply circuit and a temperature measuring circuit connected to the flexible heating element.

[0019] Optionally, the flexible heating element is disposed on the outer wall and bottom of the solid iodine liquefaction container and on the outer wall of the connecting pipeline.

[0020] Optionally, the flexible heating element is made of polyimide.

[0021] Optionally, the piston assembly includes a flange, a piston, a piston rod, and multiple springs. The flange and the piston are connected by multiple springs, and the piston rod passes through the flange and is fixedly connected to the piston. In the assembled state, the flange is sealed to the top of the solid iodine liquefaction container, and the piston extends into the interior of the solid iodine liquefaction container.

[0022] Optionally, the nitrogen purging device includes an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe connected to the iodine crystal storage tank. The inlet pipe is connected to a nitrogen cylinder. A second valve is provided on both the inlet and outlet pipes to control the flow of nitrogen.

[0023] Optionally, the solid iodine liquefaction container, the frustum-shaped separation device, the connecting pipeline, and the iodine crystallization storage tank are made of 316L stainless steel.

[0024] The above embodiments of the present invention have the following beneficial effects: Using the solid iodine working fluid liquefaction crystallization apparatus of the present invention, a iodine solution with a density of 2.5 g / cm³ can be crystallized. 3 After liquefaction and solidification, the solid iodine particles form a structure with a density of 4.93 g / cm³. 3 The addition of iodine crystals increases the packing density, thereby enabling the storage of more fuel for the electric propulsion system, which is of great significance for the rapid development of solid electric propulsion systems.

[0025] Specifically, the frustum-shaped separation device divides the solid iodine liquefaction container into a solid iodine particle placement area and a bottom liquefaction area, preventing solid iodine particles from directly entering the bottom liquefaction area. Under the action of the heating component, the solid iodine particles placed in the solid iodine particle placement area liquefy and enter the bottom liquefaction area.

[0026] The piston assembly propels liquid iodine through the connecting pipe into the iodine crystallization tank. After condensation and crystallization, iodine crystals are finally formed.

[0027] In addition, before liquid iodine enters the iodine crystallization storage tank, the impurity gases in the iodine crystallization storage tank can be replaced by a nitrogen purging device, so that the iodine crystallization storage tank is filled with nitrogen, thus avoiding the impurity gases from affecting the purity of iodine crystals. Attached Figure Description

[0028] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a structure of an embodiment of a solid iodine working fluid liquefaction and crystallization apparatus according to the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the frustum-shaped separation device of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 3 This is a top view of an embodiment of the frustum-shaped separation device of the present invention.

[0032] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0033] 1. Flexible heating element; 2. Solid iodine granules; 31. Piston; 32. Piston rod; 33. Spring; 34. Flange; 4. Frustum-shaped separation device; 41. Separation net; 5. Liquid iodine; 6. Connecting pipeline; 7. First valve; 8. Second valve; 9. Iodine crystallization storage tank; 10. Solid iodine liquefaction container; 11. Nitrogen cylinder. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The technical solution of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0035] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting this invention.

[0036] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the stated features. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified. Furthermore, the terms "installed," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly; for example, they may refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they may refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they may refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they may refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0037] This disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0038] Please refer to the following first. Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a solid iodine working fluid liquefaction and crystallization apparatus according to the present invention. Figure 1As shown, the solid iodine working fluid liquefaction and crystallization apparatus includes a solid iodine liquefaction container 10, which serves as a storage container for the solid iodine particles 2. The solid iodine liquefaction container 10 can be a cylindrical structure and can be made of a material that does not react with the solid iodine particles 2, such as 316L stainless steel. Those skilled in the art can choose the appropriate material based on the specific circumstances. It should be noted that before adding the solid iodine particles 2, the solid iodine liquefaction container 10 should be purged with dry gas to provide a dry environment.

[0039] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 3 , Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the frustum-shaped separation device of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a top view of an embodiment of the frustum-shaped separation device of the present invention. Figures 1 to 3 As shown, a frustum-shaped separating device 4 is welded inside the solid iodine liquefaction container 10, dividing the container into a solid iodine particle placement area and a bottom liquefaction area. This frustum-shaped separating device 4 can be positioned at 1 / 3 of the height of the solid iodine liquefaction container 10; however, those skilled in the art can adjust it according to actual conditions.

[0040] The cross-section of the frustum-shaped separator 4 is trapezoidal, with the diameter decreasing from top to bottom ( Figure 1 The size gradually decreases in the direction of the solid iodine particles 2. It can be made of a material that does not react with the solid iodine particles 2, such as 316L stainless steel. A separation mesh 41 is welded to the bottom of the frustum-shaped separation device 4. This separation mesh 41 acts as a filter to prevent the solid iodine particles 2 from falling directly into the bottom liquefaction zone of the solid iodine liquefaction container 10. The size of the separation mesh 41 is ≤10µm.

[0041] Revisit Figure 1 The device also includes a connecting pipe 6 and an iodine crystallization tank 9. The two ends of the connecting pipe 6 are connected to the bottom liquefaction zone and the iodine crystallization tank 9, respectively. A first valve 7 is installed on the connecting pipe 6 as an on / off valve to control the flow of liquid iodine 5 into the iodine crystallization tank 9. The connecting pipe 6 and the iodine crystallization tank 9 can be made of materials that do not react with liquid iodine, such as 316L stainless steel, Hastelloy, etc., and those skilled in the art can choose according to the actual situation. The shape of the iodine crystallization tank 9 is not limited and can be cylindrical, cuboid, spherical, or other shapes. Those skilled in the art can make adjustments.

[0042] The solid iodine working fluid liquefaction and crystallization device also includes a heating component, comprising a flexible heating element 1 attached to the outer wall and bottom of the solid iodine liquefaction container 10 and the connecting pipe 6, which serves as the heating device. From the phase diagram of iodine, it can be seen that the liquefaction temperature of solid iodine must be higher than 114.5°C, and the pressure must be higher than the corresponding vapor pressure to observe liquid iodine 5 (generally, the pressure is higher than 89.8 mmHg). Therefore, heat can be provided by the flexible heating element 1, thereby maintaining the solid iodine liquefaction container 10 at 114.5°C and the connecting pipe 6 at 125°C. The aforementioned flexible heating element 1 can be connected to a power supply circuit and a temperature measuring circuit. As an example, the flexible heating element 1 can be made of polyimide.

[0043] To allow liquid iodine 5 to enter the iodine crystallization storage tank 9 via the connecting pipe 6, a piston assembly is provided at the upper end of the aforementioned solid iodine liquefaction container 10 to push the liquid iodine 5 into the iodine crystallization storage tank 9. Specifically, the piston assembly includes a flange 34, a piston 31, a piston rod 32, and multiple springs 33. The flange 34 and the piston 31 are connected by multiple springs 33, and the piston rod 32 passes through the flange 34 and is fixedly connected to the piston 31. In the assembled state, the flange 34 is sealed to the top of the solid iodine liquefaction container 10, and the piston 31 extends into the interior of the solid iodine liquefaction container 10. The piston 31 can be made of 316L stainless steel.

[0044] After being heated by the flexible heating element 1, the solid iodine particles 2 form liquid iodine 5, which falls into the bottom liquefaction zone through the separation mesh 41. The first valve 7 can be opened, and a downward force can be applied to the piston rod 32, thereby pushing the piston 31 downward, compressing the air inside the solid iodine liquefaction container 10, and driving the liquid iodine 5 towards the connecting pipe 6, ultimately condensing and crystallizing in the iodine crystallization tank 9 to form iodine crystals. When the external force is removed, the piston 31 returns to its initial position under the action of multiple springs 33, facilitating the next push of the piston rod 32. To improve the sealing between the flange 34 and the solid iodine liquefaction container 10, a sealing ring can be provided on the outer circumference of the flange 34.

[0045] Furthermore, to improve the purity of iodine crystals, the aforementioned iodine crystal storage tank 9 is also connected to a nitrogen purging device, specifically including an inlet pipe, an outlet pipe, and a nitrogen cylinder 11 connected to the iodine crystal storage tank 9. The inlet pipe is connected to the nitrogen cylinder 11, and a second valve 8 is installed on both the inlet and outlet pipes to control the flow of nitrogen. During the heating process of the flexible heating element 1, the second valves 8 on the inlet and outlet pipes can be opened, allowing nitrogen to enter the iodine crystal storage tank 9. Other gases in the iodine crystal storage tank 9 are discharged through the outlet pipe. In this way, the iodine crystal storage tank 9 is filled with nitrogen, preventing impurities from affecting the purity of the iodine crystals.

[0046] To ensure that the iodine crystallization storage tank 9 is filled with iodine, the amount of iodine that the iodine crystallization storage tank 9 can hold is calculated based on the maximum particle density of the solid iodine particles 2. This allows for the addition of an appropriate amount of iodine to the solid iodine liquefaction container 10, avoiding blind increases or decreases, and facilitating the rapid and accurate preparation of the working fluid.

[0047] The solid iodine working fluid liquefaction and crystallization device of the present invention utilizes the principle of solid iodine liquefaction and crystallization to liquefy and solidify solid iodine particles 2 with a density of 2.5 g / cm3 to form iodine crystals with a density of 4.93 g / cm3, thereby increasing the packing density and enabling the storage of more fuel for electric propulsion systems. This is of great significance for the rapid development of solid electric propulsion systems.

[0048] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A solid iodine working fluid liquefaction crystallization apparatus, characterized by, The application relates to a solid iodine liquefaction container, a circular-truncated-cone type separation device, a connecting pipeline, a iodine crystallization storage tank, a heating assembly, a piston assembly and a nitrogen blowing device. The solid iodine liquefaction container is used for providing a dry environment for placing solid iodine particles; the circular-truncated-cone type separation device is arranged in the solid iodine liquefaction container and divides the solid iodine liquefaction container into a solid iodine particle placing area and a bottom liquefaction area; the connecting pipeline is connected with the bottom liquefaction area and the iodine crystallization storage tank at two ends respectively; the iodine crystallization storage tank is used for receiving liquid iodine and forming iodine crystals; the heating assembly is arranged on the outer wall of the solid iodine liquefaction container and the connecting pipeline and is used for providing a liquefaction temperature of the solid iodine particles; the piston assembly is arranged on the top of the solid iodine liquefaction container and is used for pushing the liquid iodine into the iodine crystallization storage tank; the nitrogen blowing device is communicated with the iodine crystallization storage tank and is used for replacing impurity gas in the iodine crystallization storage tank before the liquid iodine enters the iodine crystallization storage tank. The heating assembly comprises a flexible heating sheet and a power supply circuit and a temperature measuring circuit connected with the flexible heating sheet; the flexible heating sheet is arranged on the outer wall and the bottom end of the solid iodine liquefaction container and the outer wall of the connecting pipeline; the nitrogen blowing device comprises an air inlet pipeline and an air outlet pipeline communicated with the iodine crystallization storage tank; the air inlet pipeline is communicated with a nitrogen cylinder; second valves are arranged on the air inlet pipeline and the air outlet pipeline and are used for controlling the on-off of nitrogen. The cross section of the circular-truncated-cone type separation device is arranged in a trapezoidal shape; the diameter of the circular-truncated-cone type separation device gradually decreases from top to bottom. A separation net is arranged at the bottom of the circular-truncated-cone type separation device; the specification of the separation net is less than or equal to 10 um. A first valve is arranged on the connecting pipeline and is used for opening or closing the connecting pipeline. The flexible heating sheet is made of polyimide. The piston assembly comprises a flange, a piston, a piston rod and a plurality of springs; the flange and the piston are connected through the plurality of springs; the piston rod is fixedly connected with the piston through the flange; in the assembled state, the flange is sealed to the top of the solid iodine liquefaction container and the piston extends into the solid iodine liquefaction container. The solid iodine liquefaction container, the circular-truncated-cone type separation device, the connecting pipeline and the iodine crystallization storage tank are made of 316L stainless steel.

2. The solid iodine working fluid liquefaction crystallization apparatus of claim 1, wherein, ​ 3. The solid iodine working fluid liquefaction crystallization apparatus of claim 1, wherein, ​ 4. The solid iodine working fluid liquefaction crystallization apparatus of claim 1, wherein, ​ 5. The solid iodine working mass liquefaction crystallization apparatus of claim 1, wherein, ​ 6. The solid iodine working mass liquefaction crystallization apparatus of claim 1, wherein, ​ 7. The solid iodine working fluid liquefaction crystallization apparatus of claim 1, wherein, ​

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