A ground-based measurement device and method for the diffusion coefficient of volatile matter injected into simulated lunar soil

Abstract

The present invention discloses a ground-based measurement device and method for the diffusion coefficient of volatiles injected into simulated lunar soil, belonging to the field of lunar volatile research equipment. The device includes a sample chamber connected to an ion injection mechanism and a pressure sensor connected to the sample chamber. The ion injection mechanism can inject volatile ions into the sample in the sample chamber, the sample chamber can be heated, and the pressure sensor can detect the pressure inside the sample chamber. The method performs high-precision volatile injection on simulated lunar soil or lunar soil mineral samples, gradually heats the sample injected with volatiles to release volatiles due to heat, monitors the changes in air pressure inside the system, and uses the changes in air pressure to measure the diffusion coefficient of volatiles in the sample at different temperatures. According to the technical solution of the present invention, ion injection and heating release are used to implement repeatable experiments on the ground to simulate the diffusion behavior of lunar soil volatiles.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of lunar volatile research equipment, and more specifically, relates to a ground-based measurement device and method for the diffusion coefficient of volatiles injected into simulated lunar soil. Background Art

[0002] The development and utilization of lunar resources is a key research topic in deep space exploration and aerospace engineering. Volatiles in lunar regolith (such as helium-3, hydrogen, helium, nitrogen, and argon) have attracted considerable attention due to their potential value in energy, scientific research, and the development of future lunar bases. To rationally exploit these resources, it is essential to accurately measure the diffusion characteristics of lunar regolith volatiles, optimize resource extraction processes, and assess their distribution and release behavior under varying temperature conditions.

[0003] Currently, volatile content determination in lunar samples relies primarily on the limited number of samples returned to Earth. However, this approach is limited by sample quantity, experimental equipment, and experimental environment, making it difficult to conduct large-scale, reproducible experiments to study the diffusion behavior of lunar regolith volatiles. Given that volatiles in lunar regolith are primarily infused by the solar wind, traditional ground-based adsorption-diffusion experiments struggle to simulate the distribution of lunar regolith volatiles and monitor their release in real time upon heating. Therefore, it is necessary to design a measurement device and method that can simulate the diffusion behavior of lunar regolith volatiles in a ground-based environment to address the challenges of lunar volatile resource development. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to fill the gap in existing technical equipment and provide a ground-based measurement device and method for the diffusion coefficient of volatiles injected into simulated lunar soil, so as to realize the purpose of studying the diffusion behavior of volatiles in lunar soil using simulated lunar soil and verifying volatile extraction technology.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] A ground-based measurement device for the diffusion coefficient of volatiles injected into simulated lunar soil comprises an ion injection mechanism, a sample chamber connected to the ion injection mechanism, and a pressure detection mechanism connected to the sample chamber. The ion injection mechanism comprises an ion source, a magnetic analyzer, and an accelerator tube. The ion injection mechanism can inject volatile ions into the sample in the sample chamber. The sample chamber comprises a heating chamber and a reaction vessel tube. The heating chamber is arranged outside the reaction vessel tube and can heat the reaction vessel tube. The sample chamber is connected to the pressure detection mechanism. The pressure detection mechanism is a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor can detect the pressure inside the sample chamber.

[0007] A method for measuring the diffusion coefficient of volatile matter injected into simulated lunar soil is provided, based on the above-mentioned device for measuring the diffusion coefficient of volatile matter injected into simulated lunar soil, and includes the following steps:

[0008] Standard gas calibration: The closed system starts the mechanical pump and molecular pump to evacuate the sample chamber, introduces a certain amount of standard gas through the air inlet pipe, and heats the sample chamber step by step until it reaches the set temperature. The temperature of step i is recorded as T i , get the air pressure of step i , continue to heat up to above 1500℃, and get the pressure at the final temperature ;

[0009] Sample loading: Prepare simulated lunar soil or lunar soil mineral samples into sample slices, place the sample slices on the sample loading platform through the sample inlet, and perform vacuum operation on the closed system;

[0010] Ion implantation: Start the ion implantation mechanism to implant volatile ions into the sample. The ion implantation depth a is determined based on the ion implantation energy, the type of volatiles, and the properties of the simulated lunar soil. Repeat the vacuum operation.

[0011] Heating diffusion: Repeat the step-by-step heating steps and record the time when the system reaches pressure stability in step i as t i , after the system pressure stabilizes, record the pressure of step i as p i Repeat this step to obtain diffusion experimental data at different temperatures. After obtaining the step-by-step heating data, continue to heat the sample chamber to the final temperature. After the system pressure stabilizes, record the pressure p0.

[0012] Diffusion coefficient calculation: According to Fick's law, the diffusion coefficient of step i is expressed by the following formula:

[0013] ;

[0014] According to the calculated D i and temperature T i The curve of the simulated lunar soil volatile diffusion coefficient changing with temperature was obtained.

[0015] Beneficial effects:

[0016] The device and method for measuring the diffusion coefficient of volatiles injected into simulated lunar regolith, provided by this invention, enable the study of lunar regolith volatile diffusion behavior using simulated lunar regolith on the ground, overcoming the research limitations imposed by the scarcity of lunar regolith samples. Through high-precision ion implantation, temperature-controlled heating, and high-precision air pressure measurement, quantitative determination of the diffusion coefficients of various volatiles in lunar regolith at different temperatures is achieved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a ground-based device for measuring the diffusion coefficient of volatile matter injected into simulated lunar soil according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2Schematic diagram of the implementation process of the ground-based determination method of the diffusion coefficient of volatile matter injected into simulated lunar soil according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Explanation of the reference numerals: 1 ion source, 2 magnetic analyzer, 3 acceleration tube, 4 reaction vessel tube, 5 sample carrier, 6 injection port, 7 thermocouple, 8 temperature controller, 9 pressure sensor, 10 heating chamber, 11 air inlet pipe, 12 air source, 13 mechanical pump, 14 molecular pump. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The following will provide a clear and complete description of the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments of the present invention without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] To address the specific needs of lunar regolith volatile diffusion coefficient research, this paper, based on experience gained in ion implantation and gas diffusion, provides a ground-based device and method for measuring the diffusion coefficient of volatiles injected into simulated lunar regolith. This device offers the advantages of controllable sample usage and high reliability. When combined with ground-based methods for measuring the diffusion coefficient of volatiles injected into simulated lunar regolith, it demonstrates strong feasibility.

[0022] In order to make the above features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, the present invention provides a ground-based measurement device for the diffusion coefficient of volatiles injected into simulated lunar soil, comprising an ion injection mechanism, a sample chamber, and a pressure detection mechanism. The ion injection mechanism is used to inject volatile ions into a sample in the sample chamber and comprises an ion source 1, a magnetic analyzer 2, and an accelerator tube 3, which is connected to a reaction vessel tube 4 in the sample chamber. The sample chamber includes a heating chamber 10 and the reaction vessel tube 4. The heating chamber 10 is disposed outside the reaction vessel tube 4 and is capable of heating the reaction vessel tube 4. The sample chamber is connected to a pressure detection mechanism, which comprises a pressure sensor 9, which is capable of detecting the pressure within the sample chamber.

[0024] The ion source 1 generates an ion beam after being powered on, and the ion beam is filtered by the magnetic analyzer 2 and injected into the sample chamber through the acceleration tube 3 to perform volatilization and separation ion injection on the sample.

[0025] A sample loading platform 5 is located at the bottom of the reaction vessel tube 4, where the sample to be tested can be placed. A sample inlet 6 is located on one side of the reaction vessel tube, which is used to load the sample and form a sealed gas space within the reaction vessel tube. A heating chamber 10 surrounds the reaction vessel tube 4 and heats it. The volatilization of the sample by the heating causes a change in the internal pressure of the system, which is measured by a pressure sensor 9.

[0026] Furthermore, the sample chamber is connected to a thermocouple 7 , and after the sample carrier 5 is loaded with the sample, the thermocouple 7 can monitor the temperature near the sample.

[0027] Thermocouple 7 can be connected to thermostat 8, which can receive the electrical signal from thermocouple 7; thermostat 8 is connected to heating chamber 10, and thermostat 8 outputs a regulation signal to heating chamber 10. Thermocouple 7 monitors the sample temperature in real time and transmits the signal to thermostat 8, which accurately adjusts the temperature of heating chamber 10.

[0028] An air inlet pipe 11 is provided on one side of the sample chamber, and the air inlet pipe 11 is communicated with the reaction container pipe 4 . The air inlet pipe 11 is connected to a gas source 12 , and can introduce specific gas to regulate the experimental environment.

[0029] In addition, to avoid interference from impurity gases within the experimental system, the sample chamber is connected to a vacuum system. The vacuum system includes a mechanical pump 13 and a molecular pump 14. Mechanical pump 13 performs primary vacuuming, while molecular pump 14 performs secondary vacuuming. The vacuum device connects the air pressure environment of the entire device to ensure high vacuum conditions inside the sample chamber, improving experimental accuracy and reducing gas interference. The vacuum device can exhaust waste gas from the system and achieve a high vacuum environment inside the sample chamber.

[0030] like Figure 2 As shown, the present invention also provides a method for measuring the diffusion coefficient of volatile matter injected into simulated lunar soil on the ground, comprising the steps of:

[0031] Standard gas calibration: Close the inlet, start the mechanical pump and molecular pump to evacuate the sample chamber, introduce a certain amount of standard gas through the inlet pipe, and heat the sample chamber in steps until it reaches the set temperature. Record the temperature of step i as T i , get the air pressure of step i , continue to heat up to above 1500℃, and get the pressure at the final temperature ;

[0032] Sample loading: Prepare simulated lunar soil or lunar soil mineral samples into sample slices, place the sample slices on the sample loading platform through the sample inlet, and perform vacuum operation on the closed system;

[0033] Ion implantation: Start the ion implantation mechanism to implant volatile ions into the sample. The ion implantation depth a is determined based on the ion implantation energy, the type of volatiles, and the properties of the simulated lunar soil. Repeat the vacuum operation.

[0034] Heating diffusion: Repeat the step-by-step heating steps and record the time when the system reaches pressure stability in step i as t i , after the system pressure stabilizes, record the pressure of step i as p i Repeat this step to obtain diffusion experimental data at different temperatures. After obtaining the step-by-step heating data, continue to heat the sample chamber to the final temperature. After the system pressure stabilizes, record the pressure p0.

[0035] Diffusion coefficient calculation: According to Fick's law, the diffusion coefficient of step i is expressed by the following formula:

[0036] ;

[0037] According to the calculated D i and temperature T i The curve of the simulated lunar soil volatile diffusion coefficient changing with temperature can be obtained.

[0038] In a specific embodiment, the set temperatures mentioned above can be 200°C, 400°C, 600°C, 800°C, 1000°C, 1200°C, and 1400°C. The upper limit of the final temperature should generally be set higher than 1500°C to ensure that the volatiles are completely volatilized; the ion implantation energy can be adjusted according to the type of volatiles and the properties of the sample material.

[0039] In particular, the present invention uses ion implantation to simulate the lunar soil volatile injection process, and uses step-by-step heating and air pressure measurement to simulate the lunar soil volatile heating and release process and obtain the diffusion coefficient at different temperatures, so that the diffusion behavior of different volatiles in different simulated lunar soils or mineral materials can be studied with a complete set of devices and methods, and the diffusion behavior can be quantitatively characterized.

[0040] The above describes the specific embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood that the above examples are merely some examples for facilitating understanding of the essential contents of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the above specific embodiments, and those skilled in the art may make various modifications or variations within the scope of the claims. In summary, the contents of this specification should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for measuring the diffusion coefficient of volatile matter injected into simulated lunar soil, which is performed based on a ground-based device for measuring the diffusion coefficient of volatile matter injected into simulated lunar soil. The device comprises an ion injection mechanism, a sample chamber connected to the ion injection mechanism, and a pressure detection mechanism connected to the sample chamber. The ion injection mechanism comprises an ion source (1), a magnetic analyzer (2), and an accelerator tube (3). The ion injection mechanism can inject volatile ions into the sample in the sample chamber. The sample chamber comprises a heating chamber (10) and a reaction vessel tube (4). The heating chamber (10) is arranged outside the reaction vessel tube (4). The heating chamber (10) can heat the reaction vessel tube. The sample chamber is connected to the pressure detection mechanism. The pressure detection mechanism is a pressure sensor (9). The pressure sensor (9) can detect the pressure inside the sample chamber. The method comprises: Standard gas calibration: Close the inlet, start the mechanical pump and molecular pump to evacuate the sample chamber, introduce a certain amount of standard gas through the inlet pipe, and heat the sample chamber in steps until it reaches the set temperature. Record the temperature of step i as T i , get the air pressure of step i , continue to heat up to above 1500℃, and get the pressure at the final temperature ; Sample loading: Prepare simulated lunar soil or lunar soil mineral samples into sample slices, place the sample slices on the sample loading platform through the sample inlet, and perform vacuum operation on the closed system; Ion implantation: Start the ion implantation mechanism to implant volatile ions into the sample. The ion implantation depth a is determined based on the ion implantation energy, the type of volatiles, and the properties of the simulated lunar soil. Repeat the vacuum operation. Heating diffusion: Repeat the step-by-step heating steps and record the time when the system reaches pressure stability in step i as t i , after the system pressure stabilizes, record the pressure of step i as p i Repeat this step to obtain diffusion experimental data at different temperatures. After obtaining the step-by-step heating data, continue to heat the sample chamber to the final temperature. After the system pressure stabilizes, record the pressure p0. Diffusion coefficient calculation: According to Fick's law, the diffusion coefficient of step i is expressed by the following formula: ； According to the calculated D i and temperature T i The curve of the simulated lunar soil volatile diffusion coefficient changing with temperature was obtained.

2. The method for determining the diffusion coefficient of volatile matter injected into simulated lunar soil according to claim 1, characterized in that: A sample loading platform (5) is provided at the bottom of the reaction container tube (4) for placing the sample to be tested.

3. The method for determining the diffusion coefficient of volatile matter injected into simulated lunar soil according to claim 2, characterized in that: A sample inlet (6) is provided on one side of the reaction container tube (4), and the sample inlet (6) is used to load the sample and form a closed gas space in the reaction container tube (4).

4. The method for determining the diffusion coefficient of volatile matter injected into simulated lunar soil according to claim 3, characterized in that: An air inlet pipe (11) is provided on one side of the sample chamber, the air inlet pipe (11) is communicated with the reaction container tube, the air inlet pipe (11) is connected to a gas source (12), and the gas source (12) can be fed with gas through the air inlet pipe.

5. The method for determining the diffusion coefficient of volatile matter injected into simulated lunar soil according to claim 3, characterized in that: The sample chamber is connected to a vacuum system, which includes a mechanical pump (13) and a molecular pump (14). The mechanical pump (13) performs primary vacuuming, and the molecular pump (14) performs secondary vacuuming. The vacuum system is connected to the air pressure environment of the entire device to ensure that high vacuum conditions are achieved inside the sample chamber.

6. The method for determining the diffusion coefficient of volatile matter injected into simulated lunar soil according to claim 2, characterized in that: The sample chamber is connected to a thermocouple (7). After the sample is loaded on the sample carrier (5), the thermocouple (7) can monitor the temperature near the sample.

7. The method for determining the diffusion coefficient of volatile matter injected into simulated lunar soil according to claim 6, characterized in that: The thermocouple (7) is connected to the temperature controller (8), and the temperature controller (8) can receive the electrical signal of the thermocouple (7); the temperature controller (8) is connected to the heating chamber (10), and the temperature controller (8) outputs a regulating signal to the heating chamber (10).

8. The method for determining the diffusion coefficient of volatile matter injected into simulated lunar soil according to claim 1, characterized in that: The setting temperatures are 200℃, 400℃, 600℃, 800℃, 1000℃, 1200℃, 1400℃.

9. The method for determining the diffusion coefficient of volatile matter injected into simulated lunar soil according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: The ion implantation energy is adjusted according to the type of volatiles and the properties of the sample material.

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