A cryogenic propellant storage system and method

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of refrigeration technology, and particularly to a cryogenic propellant storage system and method. The system includes: a compressor compressing helium gas; a first portion of the compressed helium gas flows into a circulating refrigeration assembly, and a second portion flows into a heating assembly; the circulating refrigeration assembly cools the first portion of helium gas and uses it to cool liquid hydrogen stored in a liquid hydrogen tank and liquid oxygen stored in a liquid oxygen tank; the cooled first portion of helium gas is then returned to the compressor; the heating assembly uses the second portion of helium gas to heat liquid oxygen flowing out of the liquid oxygen tank and liquid hydrogen flowing out of the liquid hydrogen tank, obtaining gaseous oxygen and gaseous hydrogen, which are then transported to the engine; the heated second portion of helium gas is then returned to the compressor. This invention effectively utilizes the high-quality cooling capacity within the storage tanks, improving the efficiency of the circulating refrigeration system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of refrigeration technology, and in particular to a storage system and method for cryogenic propellants. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, cryogenic propellants such as liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen are widely used in space missions. Liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen are stored in their respective tanks to provide fuel for engine propulsion. During storage, a refrigeration cycle is required to cool the tanks and maintain the state and temperature of the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen.

[0003] In the existing technology, when liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen in the storage tank are transported to the engine, the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen need to be pressurized first, which results in the waste of the high-quality cold energy of the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen in the storage tank and low efficiency of the refrigeration cycle.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a new technical solution to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a cryogenic propellant storage system and method that can effectively utilize the high-quality cold energy within the storage tank and improve the efficiency of cyclic refrigeration.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a cryogenic propellant storage system, comprising: a liquid oxygen tank, a liquid hydrogen tank, an engine, a compressor, a circulating refrigeration assembly, and a heating assembly;

[0007] The compressor is connected to the circulating refrigeration component and the heating component, and is used to compress the helium gas flowing into the compressor. The first part of the compressed helium gas flows into the circulating refrigeration component, and the second part of the compressed helium gas flows into the heating component.

[0008] The circulating refrigeration component is connected to the liquid oxygen storage tank and the liquid hydrogen storage tank respectively, and is used to cool the first part of helium gas. The cooled first part of helium gas is used to cool the liquid hydrogen stored in the liquid hydrogen storage tank and the liquid oxygen stored in the liquid oxygen storage tank. The cooled first part of helium gas is returned to the compressor.

[0009] The heating assembly is connected to the engine, the liquid oxygen tank, and the liquid hydrogen tank, respectively, and is used to heat the liquid oxygen flowing out of the liquid oxygen tank and the liquid hydrogen flowing out of the liquid hydrogen tank using the second portion of helium to obtain gaseous oxygen and gaseous hydrogen. The gaseous oxygen and gaseous hydrogen are then transported to the engine, and the second portion of helium is returned to the compressor after the heating treatment.

[0010] Secondly, the present invention provides a method for storing cryogenic propellants, applied to a cryogenic propellant storage system, the system comprising: a liquid oxygen tank, a liquid hydrogen tank, an engine, a compressor, a circulating refrigeration assembly, and a heating assembly, wherein the compressor is connected to the circulating refrigeration assembly and the heating assembly, the circulating refrigeration assembly is connected to both the liquid oxygen tank and the liquid hydrogen tank, and the heating assembly is connected to both the engine, the liquid oxygen tank, and the liquid hydrogen tank; the method comprises:

[0011] The helium gas flowing into the compressor is compressed by the compressor. The first part of the compressed helium gas flows into the circulating refrigeration component, and the second part of the helium gas flows into the heating component.

[0012] The first portion of helium is cooled by the circulating refrigeration component, and the cooled first portion of helium is used to cool the liquid hydrogen stored in the liquid hydrogen tank and the liquid oxygen stored in the liquid oxygen tank. The cooled first portion of helium is then returned to the compressor.

[0013] The heating assembly uses the second portion of helium to heat the liquid oxygen flowing out of the liquid oxygen tank and the liquid hydrogen flowing out of the liquid hydrogen tank to obtain gaseous oxygen and gaseous hydrogen. The gaseous oxygen and gaseous hydrogen are then delivered to the engine, and the second portion of helium is returned to the compressor after the heating process.

[0014] This invention provides a cryogenic propellant storage system and method. It can heat liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen flowing into the engine from liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen storage tanks using a portion of compressed helium gas, causing the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen to vaporize and enter the engine. This portion of helium gas exchanges heat with the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, cools them, and then flows back to the compressor via a circulating refrigeration component. This allows the high-quality cooling energy of the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen from cryogenic liquid to high-temperature combustion to re-participate in the refrigeration cycle, improving cycle efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the 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 based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a structural block diagram of a cryogenic propellant storage system provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure label:

[0018] 1-Compressor;

[0019] 2-Heat exchanger;

[0020] 3-Regenerator;

[0021] 4-Helium flow solenoid valve;

[0022] 5-First Turbine Expander;

[0023] 6-Liquid oxygen storage tank cooling shield;

[0024] 7-Liquid oxygen storage tank;

[0025] 8-Liquid oxygen gasification heat exchanger;

[0026] 9-Liquid oxygen gasification solenoid valve;

[0027] 10-Engine;

[0028] 11-Liquid oxygen heating solenoid valve;

[0029] 12-Liquid oxygen heating heat exchanger;

[0030] 13-Battery assembly;

[0031] 14-Liquid hydrogen heating heat exchanger;

[0032] 15-Liquid hydrogen heating solenoid valve;

[0033] 16-Liquid hydrogen storage tank cold shield;

[0034] 17 - Liquid hydrogen storage tank;

[0035] 18-Second Turbine Expander;

[0036] 19-Liquid hydrogen vaporization heat exchanger;

[0037] 20-Liquid hydrogen vaporization solenoid valve. Detailed Implementation

[0038] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are some embodiments of the present invention, but not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0039] Please refer to Figure 1 This invention provides a cryogenic propellant storage system, comprising: a liquid oxygen tank 7, a liquid hydrogen tank 17, an engine 10, a compressor 1, a circulating refrigeration assembly, and a heating assembly;

[0040] Compressor 1 is connected to the circulating refrigeration component and the heating component, and is used to compress the helium gas flowing into compressor 1. The first part of the compressed helium gas flows into the circulating refrigeration component, and the second part of the compressed helium gas flows into the heating component.

[0041] The circulating refrigeration unit is connected to the liquid oxygen storage tank 7 and the liquid hydrogen storage tank 17 respectively, and is used to cool the first part of helium. The first part of helium after cooling is used to cool the liquid hydrogen stored in the liquid hydrogen storage tank 17 and the liquid oxygen stored in the liquid oxygen storage tank 7. The first part of helium after cooling is returned to the compressor 1.

[0042] The heating components are connected to the engine 10, the liquid oxygen tank 7, and the liquid hydrogen tank 17, respectively. They are used to heat the liquid oxygen flowing out of the liquid oxygen tank 7 and the liquid hydrogen flowing out of the liquid hydrogen tank 17 using a second portion of helium to obtain gaseous oxygen and gaseous hydrogen. The gaseous oxygen and gaseous hydrogen are then transported to the engine 10. After the heating treatment, the second portion of helium flows back to the compressor 1.

[0043] In this embodiment of the invention, liquid oxygen tank 7 is used to store oxygen required for the engine's propulsion, and liquid hydrogen tank 17 is used to store hydrogen required for the engine's propulsion. Hydrogen and oxygen together constitute the cryogenic propellant of engine 10. Helium is used as the refrigerant for hydrogen and oxygen. Helium is compressed by compressor 1 (adiabatic compression, increasing the temperature and pressure of the helium). The compressed helium is divided into two parts. The first part of the helium is cooled by a circulating refrigeration assembly and then used as the refrigerant for hydrogen and oxygen in liquid hydrogen tank 17 and liquid oxygen tank 7, cooling the hydrogen and oxygen to a liquid state. The second part of the helium is used to heat the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen flowing into engine 10 from liquid hydrogen tank 17 and liquid oxygen tank 7, causing the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen to vaporize and obtain gaseous hydrogen and gaseous oxygen. The increased pressure during vaporization allows gaseous hydrogen and oxygen to be injected into the engine 10 via self-pressurized injection. This avoids the waste of high-quality cooling energy during the heating process of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen in the storage tanks, which is common in existing technologies where liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen are pressurized and transported to the engine 10 for combustion. The second part of helium heats the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen flowing into the engine 10 from the liquid hydrogen storage tank 17 and liquid oxygen storage tank 7, allowing it to return to the circulating refrigeration system. This enables the cooling energy of the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen from the cryogenic liquid stage to the high-temperature combustion stage to be reused in the refrigeration cycle, improving cycle efficiency.

[0044] In one embodiment of the present invention, it further includes: a battery assembly 13;

[0045] The heating components are connected to the liquid hydrogen storage tank 17, the liquid oxygen storage tank 7 and the battery assembly 13 respectively. They are used to heat the liquid oxygen flowing out of the liquid oxygen storage tank 7 and the liquid hydrogen flowing out of the liquid hydrogen storage tank 17 using the second part of helium. The heated liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen are then transported to the battery assembly 13. The second part of helium is then returned to the compressor 1 after the heating process.

[0046] The battery assembly 13 is connected to the compressor 1 to generate electrical energy based on the heat-treated liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, and to supply the generated electrical energy to the compressor 1.

[0047] In this embodiment, the second portion of helium compressed by compressor 1 is also used to heat the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen flowing into battery assembly 13 from liquid hydrogen tank 17 and liquid oxygen tank 7, so that the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen can reach the temperature required by the fuel cell. The liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen react within battery assembly 13 to generate electrical energy, which is used to power compressor 1. The second portion of helium after heating the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen is also returned to the circulating refrigeration assembly. This system can recover cold energy while simultaneously powering engine 10, reducing overall mass and improving cycle efficiency.

[0048] In one embodiment of the present invention, the heating assembly includes: a liquid oxygen vaporization heat exchanger 8, a liquid hydrogen vaporization heat exchanger 19, a liquid oxygen heating heat exchanger 12, and a liquid hydrogen heating heat exchanger 14.

[0049] The liquid oxygen gasification heat exchanger 8 is connected to the compressor 1, the liquid oxygen storage tank 7 and the engine 10 respectively. It is used to heat the liquid oxygen flowing out of the liquid oxygen storage tank 7 with the second part of helium to obtain gaseous oxygen, and then deliver the gaseous oxygen to the engine 10. The heated helium is divided into the third part of helium, the fourth part of helium and the fifth part of helium.

[0050] The liquid hydrogen vaporization heat exchanger 19 is connected to the liquid oxygen vaporization heat exchanger 8, the liquid hydrogen storage tank 17 and the engine 10 respectively. It is used to heat the liquid hydrogen flowing out of the liquid hydrogen storage tank 17 with the third part of helium to obtain gaseous hydrogen, and then transport the gaseous hydrogen to the engine 10.

[0051] The liquid oxygen heating heat exchanger 12 is connected to the liquid oxygen gasification heat exchanger 8, the liquid oxygen storage tank 7, the battery assembly 13 and the compressor 1 respectively. It is used to heat the liquid oxygen flowing out of the liquid oxygen storage tank 7 with the third part of helium, and then transport the heated liquid oxygen to the battery assembly 13. The heated third part of helium flows back to the compressor 1.

[0052] The liquid hydrogen heating heat exchanger 14 is connected to the liquid oxygen heating heat exchanger 8, the liquid hydrogen storage tank 17, the battery assembly 13 and the compressor 1 respectively. It is used to heat the liquid hydrogen flowing out of the liquid hydrogen storage tank 17 with the fourth part of helium gas, and then transport the heated liquid oxygen to the battery assembly 13. The heated fourth part of helium gas flows back to the compressor 1.

[0053] In this embodiment, the liquid oxygen vaporization heat exchanger 8 exchanges heat with the liquid oxygen in the liquid oxygen storage tank 7 that will enter the engine 10 for combustion. During the heat exchange process, the liquid oxygen absorbs heat and partially vaporizes, increasing the pressure inside the liquid oxygen vaporization heat exchanger 8, which is then injected into the engine 10 through self-pressurization. The high-temperature, high-pressure helium gas absorbs heat and cools down. The helium gas is then split into a third, fourth, and fifth portion. The third portion of helium gas exchanges heat with the liquid hydrogen in the liquid hydrogen storage tank 17 that will enter the engine 10 for combustion through the liquid hydrogen vaporization heat exchanger 19. During the heat exchange process, the liquid hydrogen absorbs heat and partially vaporizes, increasing the pressure inside the liquid hydrogen vaporization heat exchanger 19, which is then injected into the engine 10 through self-pressurization. The high-temperature, high-pressure helium gas absorbs heat and cools down. The fourth part of the helium gas exchanges heat with the liquid oxygen discharged from the liquid oxygen storage tank 7 into the liquid oxygen heating heat exchanger 12. The liquid oxygen absorbs heat and heats up to the temperature required by the fuel cell. The helium gas continues to release heat and cools down, then flows into the regenerator 3 (returning to the cycle refrigeration assembly, and then back to the compressor 1 via the regenerator 3). The fifth part of the helium gas exchanges heat with the liquid hydrogen discharged from the liquid hydrogen storage tank 17 into the liquid hydrogen heating heat exchanger 14. The liquid hydrogen absorbs heat and heats up to the temperature required by the fuel cell. The helium gas releases heat and cools down, then flows into the regenerator 3 (returning to the cycle refrigeration assembly, and then back to the compressor 1 via the regenerator 3). By setting up the liquid oxygen vaporization heat exchanger 8, the liquid hydrogen vaporization heat exchanger 19, the liquid oxygen heating heat exchanger 12, and the liquid hydrogen heating heat exchanger 14, the high-grade cold energy in the liquid hydrogen storage tank 17 and the liquid oxygen storage tank 7 is recovered and utilized, improving the overall efficiency of the cycle. In addition, hydrogen and oxygen react in the battery assembly 13 to generate the electrical energy required for the compressor 1 to perform its work.

[0054] In one embodiment of the present invention, the heating assembly further includes:

[0055] The liquid oxygen gasification solenoid valve 9 is located between the liquid oxygen gasification heat exchanger 8 and the engine 10 and is used to regulate the flow rate of gaseous oxygen delivered from the liquid oxygen gasification heat exchanger 8 to the engine 10.

[0056] The liquid hydrogen vaporization solenoid valve 20 is located between the liquid hydrogen vaporization heat exchanger 19 and the engine 10, and is used to regulate the flow rate of gaseous hydrogen supplied from the liquid hydrogen vaporization heat exchanger 19 to the engine 10.

[0057] The liquid oxygen heating solenoid valve 11 is located between the liquid oxygen storage tank 7 and the liquid oxygen heating heat exchanger 12, and is used to regulate the flow rate of liquid oxygen flowing out of the liquid oxygen storage tank 7.

[0058] The liquid hydrogen heating solenoid valve 15 is located between the liquid hydrogen storage tank 17 and the liquid hydrogen heating heat exchanger 14, and is used to regulate the flow rate of liquid hydrogen flowing out of the liquid hydrogen storage tank 17.

[0059] In this embodiment, the heating assembly is further equipped with solenoid valves for regulating the supply of liquid hydrogen to the engine 10 and the battery assembly 13, and the flow rate of the liquid hydrogen. Specifically, the liquid oxygen vaporization solenoid valve 9 is used to regulate the flow rate of gaseous oxygen supplied to the engine 10 by the liquid oxygen vaporization heat exchanger 8, the liquid hydrogen vaporization solenoid valve 20 is used to regulate the flow rate of gaseous hydrogen supplied to the engine 10 by the liquid hydrogen vaporization heat exchanger 19, the liquid oxygen heating solenoid valve 11 is used to regulate the flow rate of liquid oxygen supplied to the battery assembly 13 by the liquid oxygen storage tank 7, and the liquid hydrogen heating solenoid valve 15 is used to regulate the flow rate of liquid hydrogen supplied to the battery assembly 13 by the liquid hydrogen storage tank 17.

[0060] In one embodiment of the present invention, the circulating cooling assembly includes:

[0061] The refrigeration unit, connected to compressor 1, is used to cool the first part of helium gas after compression.

[0062] The first turbine expander 5 is connected to the refrigeration unit and is used to further cool the first part of helium after the refrigeration unit has cooled it.

[0063] The liquid oxygen storage tank cooling screen 6 is connected to the first turbine expander 5 and is set outside the liquid oxygen storage tank 7. It is used to cool the liquid oxygen stored in the liquid oxygen storage tank 7 using the first part of helium gas flowing out of the first turbine expander 5.

[0064] The second turbine expander 18 is connected to the liquid oxygen storage tank 7 and is used to cool the helium flowing out of the liquid oxygen storage tank 7.

[0065] The liquid hydrogen storage tank cold shield 16 is connected to the second turbine expander 18 and the refrigeration unit respectively, and is set outside the liquid hydrogen storage tank 17. It is used to cool the liquid hydrogen stored in the liquid hydrogen storage tank 17 by using the first part of helium flowing out of the second turbine expander 18. The first part of helium after cooling is returned to the refrigeration unit and flows into the compressor 1 through the refrigeration components.

[0066] In this embodiment, in the refrigeration cycle involving the first portion of helium, the helium enters the compressor 1 for adiabatic compression (compression treatment), causing the helium to heat up and pressurize. After heating and pressurizing, the first portion of helium is cooled by the refrigeration unit, and then expands, depressurizes, and cools down by the first turbine expander 5, reducing the helium temperature to below the boiling point of liquid oxygen. The cooled helium then enters the liquid oxygen storage tank cold shield 6 surrounding the liquid oxygen storage tank 7, where it exchanges heat with the liquid oxygen inside the liquid oxygen storage tank 7 to maintain the temperature of the liquid oxygen stored in the liquid oxygen storage tank 7. After completing the heat exchange, the helium flowing out of the liquid oxygen storage tank cold shield 6 enters the second turbine expander 18 for expansion, depressurization, and cooling, reducing the helium temperature to below the boiling point of liquid hydrogen. The cooled helium then enters the liquid hydrogen storage tank cold shield 16 surrounding the liquid hydrogen storage tank 17, where it exchanges heat with the liquid hydrogen inside the liquid hydrogen storage tank 17 to maintain the temperature of the liquid hydrogen inside the tank. Helium flowing out of the liquid hydrogen storage tank cold shield 16 flows back to the refrigeration unit, where the remaining cooling capacity of this helium is utilized, and finally enters the compressor 1 to complete the cyclic refrigeration process.

[0067] In one embodiment of the present invention, the refrigeration unit includes:

[0068] Heat exchanger 2 is connected to compressor 1 and is used to cool the first part of helium after compression.

[0069] The regenerator 3 is connected to the heat exchanger 2, the first turbine expander 5, and the liquid hydrogen storage tank cold screen 16, respectively. It is used to cool the first part of helium after the heat exchanger 2 has been cooled. The first part of helium after the second cooling process flows into the first turbine expander 5. During the second cooling process, the helium returned by the liquid hydrogen storage tank cold screen 16 is used to cool the first part of helium.

[0070] In this embodiment, the refrigeration unit consists of a heat exchanger 2 and a regenerator 3. The first portion of helium is compressed by the compressor 1, then passes through the heat exchanger 2 to lower its temperature (cooling process) and the regenerator 3 to recover its cooling capacity and cool it again (further cooling process), before entering the first turbine expander 5. The helium flowing out of the liquid hydrogen storage tank cold shield 16 flows back to the regenerator 3 to exchange heat with the first portion of helium using its remaining cooling capacity, which is equivalent to the aforementioned process of further cooling the first portion of helium.

[0071] In one embodiment of the present invention, it further includes:

[0072] The helium flow solenoid valve 4 is connected to the regenerator 3 and the first turbine expander 5 respectively, and is used to regulate the flow rate of helium from the regenerator 3 to the first turbine expander 5.

[0073] Furthermore, this invention provides a method for storing cryogenic propellants, applied to a cryogenic propellant storage system. The system includes: a liquid oxygen tank, a liquid hydrogen tank, an engine, a compressor, a circulating refrigeration assembly, and a heating assembly. The compressor is connected to the circulating refrigeration assembly and the heating assembly. The circulating refrigeration assembly is connected to both the liquid oxygen tank and the liquid hydrogen tank. The heating assembly is connected to both the engine, the liquid oxygen tank, and the liquid hydrogen tank. The method includes:

[0074] The helium gas flowing into the compressor is compressed by the compressor. The first part of the compressed helium gas flows into the circulating refrigeration component, and the second part of the helium gas flows into the heating component.

[0075] The first part of helium is cooled by a circulating refrigeration unit, and the cooled first part of helium is used to cool the liquid hydrogen stored in the liquid hydrogen tank and the liquid oxygen stored in the liquid oxygen tank. The cooled first part of helium is then returned to the compressor.

[0076] The second portion of helium is used by the heating component to heat the liquid oxygen flowing out of the liquid oxygen tank and the liquid hydrogen flowing out of the liquid hydrogen tank to obtain gaseous oxygen and gaseous hydrogen. The gaseous oxygen and gaseous hydrogen are then delivered to the engine, and the second portion of helium is returned to the compressor after the heating treatment.

[0077] In one embodiment of the present invention, the system further includes: a battery assembly, a heating assembly connected to a liquid hydrogen storage tank, a liquid oxygen storage tank, and the battery assembly, respectively, and the battery assembly connected to a compressor; the method further includes:

[0078] The second portion of helium is used to heat the liquid oxygen flowing out of the liquid oxygen tank and the liquid hydrogen flowing out of the liquid hydrogen tank through the heating component. The heated liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen are then transported to the battery assembly. The second portion of helium is then returned to the compressor after the heating process.

[0079] The battery assembly generates electricity based on heat-treated liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, and then supplies the resulting electricity to the compressor.

[0080] In one embodiment of the present invention, the heating assembly includes: a liquid oxygen vaporization heat exchanger, a liquid hydrogen vaporization heat exchanger, a liquid oxygen heating heat exchanger, and a liquid hydrogen heating heat exchanger. The liquid oxygen vaporization heat exchanger is connected to a compressor, a liquid oxygen storage tank, and an engine, respectively. The liquid hydrogen vaporization heat exchanger is connected to the liquid oxygen vaporization heat exchanger, the liquid hydrogen storage tank, and the engine, respectively. The liquid oxygen heating heat exchanger is connected to the liquid oxygen vaporization heat exchanger, the liquid oxygen storage tank, the battery assembly, and the compressor, respectively. The liquid hydrogen heating heat exchanger is connected to the liquid oxygen vaporization heat exchanger, the liquid hydrogen storage tank, the battery assembly, and the compressor, respectively.

[0081] After the liquid oxygen flowing out of the liquid oxygen tank is heated by the second part of helium through the liquid oxygen gasification heat exchanger, gaseous oxygen is obtained and delivered to the engine. The heated helium is then split into the third part, the fourth part, and the fifth part.

[0082] The liquid hydrogen flowing out of the liquid hydrogen storage tank is heated by the third part of helium through the liquid hydrogen vaporization heat exchanger to obtain gaseous hydrogen, which is then transported to the engine.

[0083] The liquid oxygen flowing out of the liquid oxygen storage tank is heated by a third part of helium through a liquid oxygen heating heat exchanger. The heated liquid oxygen is then delivered to the battery assembly, and the heated third part of helium is returned to the compressor.

[0084] The liquid hydrogen flowing out of the liquid hydrogen storage tank is heated by the fourth part of helium through the liquid hydrogen heating heat exchanger. The heated liquid oxygen is then delivered to the battery assembly, and the heated fourth part of helium flows back to the compressor.

[0085] It is understood that the method embodiments and apparatus embodiments provided by the present invention are based on the same inventive concept and have the same beneficial effects. The beneficial effects of the method embodiments will not be elaborated here.

[0086] In summary, the cryogenic propellant storage system and method provided by the embodiments of the present invention have the following technical effects:

[0087] This invention provides a cryogenic propellant storage system and method. It can heat liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen flowing into the engine from liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen storage tanks using a portion of compressed helium gas, causing the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen to vaporize and enter the engine. This portion of helium gas exchanges heat with the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, cools them, and then flows back to the compressor via a circulating refrigeration component. This allows the high-quality cooling energy of the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen from cryogenic liquid to high-temperature combustion to re-participate in the refrigeration cycle, improving cycle efficiency.

[0088] In addition, this portion of helium is used to heat the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen flowing into the battery assembly from the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen storage tanks, so that the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen can reach the temperature required by the fuel cell. The electrical energy generated by the reaction of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen in the battery assembly is then supplied to the compressor. This allows the system to power the engine while recovering cold energy, reducing the overall mass and further improving the cycle efficiency.

[0089] It should be noted that, in this invention, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0090] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is only used to illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention are included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cryogenic propellant storage system, characterized in that, include: Liquid oxygen storage tank, liquid hydrogen storage tank, engine, compressor, refrigeration cycle assembly and heating assembly; The compressor is connected to the circulating refrigeration component and the heating component, and is used to compress the helium gas flowing into the compressor. The first part of the compressed helium gas flows into the circulating refrigeration component, and the second part of the compressed helium gas flows into the heating component. The circulating refrigeration component is connected to the liquid oxygen storage tank and the liquid hydrogen storage tank respectively, and is used to cool the first part of helium gas. The cooled first part of helium gas is used to cool the liquid hydrogen stored in the liquid hydrogen storage tank and the liquid oxygen stored in the liquid oxygen storage tank. The cooled first part of helium gas is returned to the compressor. The heating component is connected to the engine, the liquid oxygen tank, and the liquid hydrogen tank respectively, and is used to heat the liquid oxygen flowing out of the liquid oxygen tank and the liquid hydrogen flowing out of the liquid hydrogen tank using the second part of helium to obtain gaseous oxygen and gaseous hydrogen. The gaseous oxygen and gaseous hydrogen are then transported to the engine, and the second part of helium is returned to the compressor after the heating treatment. Also includes: battery components; The heating component is connected to the liquid hydrogen storage tank, the liquid oxygen storage tank, and the battery assembly, respectively, and is used to heat the liquid oxygen flowing out of the liquid oxygen storage tank and the liquid hydrogen flowing out of the liquid hydrogen storage tank using the second part of helium gas, and then deliver the heated liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen to the battery assembly. After the heating treatment, the second part of helium gas flows back to the compressor. The battery assembly is connected to the compressor and is used to generate electrical energy based on the heat-treated liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, and to provide the generated electrical energy to the compressor. The heating assembly includes: a liquid oxygen vaporization heat exchanger, a liquid hydrogen vaporization heat exchanger, a liquid oxygen heating heat exchanger, and a liquid hydrogen heating heat exchanger. The liquid oxygen gasification heat exchanger is connected to the compressor, the liquid oxygen storage tank and the engine respectively. It is used to heat the liquid oxygen flowing out of the liquid oxygen storage tank with the second part of helium to obtain gaseous oxygen, and then deliver the gaseous oxygen to the engine. The heated helium is split into a third part of helium, a fourth part of helium and a fifth part of helium. The liquid hydrogen vaporization heat exchanger is connected to the liquid oxygen vaporization heat exchanger, the liquid hydrogen storage tank, and the engine, respectively, and is used to heat the liquid hydrogen flowing out of the liquid hydrogen storage tank with the third part of helium to obtain gaseous hydrogen, and then transport the gaseous hydrogen to the engine. The liquid oxygen heating heat exchanger is connected to the liquid oxygen gasification heat exchanger, the liquid oxygen storage tank, the battery assembly, and the compressor, respectively. It is used to heat the liquid oxygen flowing out of the liquid oxygen storage tank using the fourth part of helium, and then deliver the heated liquid oxygen to the battery assembly. The heated fourth part of helium flows back to the compressor. The liquid hydrogen heating heat exchanger is connected to the liquid oxygen heating heat exchanger, the liquid hydrogen storage tank, the battery assembly, and the compressor, respectively. It is used to heat the liquid hydrogen flowing out of the liquid hydrogen storage tank using the fifth portion of helium gas, and then transport the heated liquid hydrogen to the battery assembly. The heated fifth portion of helium gas is then returned to the compressor.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heating assembly also includes: A liquid oxygen gasification solenoid valve is installed between the liquid oxygen gasification heat exchanger and the engine to regulate the flow rate of gaseous oxygen supplied from the liquid oxygen gasification heat exchanger to the engine. A liquid hydrogen vaporization solenoid valve is installed between the liquid hydrogen vaporization heat exchanger and the engine to regulate the flow rate of gaseous hydrogen supplied from the liquid hydrogen vaporization heat exchanger to the engine. A liquid oxygen heating solenoid valve is installed between the liquid oxygen storage tank and the liquid oxygen heating heat exchanger to regulate the flow rate of liquid oxygen flowing out of the liquid oxygen storage tank. A liquid hydrogen heating solenoid valve is installed between the liquid hydrogen storage tank and the liquid hydrogen heating heat exchanger to regulate the flow rate of liquid hydrogen flowing out of the liquid hydrogen storage tank.

3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The circulating cooling assembly includes: A refrigeration unit, connected to the compressor, is used to cool the first portion of helium gas after compression. The first turbine expander is connected to the refrigeration unit and is used to further cool the first portion of helium gas after the refrigeration unit has cooled it. A liquid oxygen storage tank cooling shield, connected to the first turbine expander and disposed outside the liquid oxygen storage tank, is used to cool the liquid oxygen stored in the liquid oxygen storage tank using the first portion of helium flowing out of the first turbine expander. The second turbine expander is connected to the liquid oxygen storage tank and is used to cool the helium flowing out of the liquid oxygen storage tank. A liquid hydrogen storage tank cold shield is connected to the second turbine expander and the refrigeration unit, respectively, and is disposed outside the liquid hydrogen storage tank. It is used to cool the liquid hydrogen stored in the liquid hydrogen storage tank by using a first part of helium gas flowing out of the second turbine expander. The first part of helium gas after cooling is returned to the refrigeration unit and flows into the compressor through the refrigeration assembly.

4. The system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The refrigeration unit includes: A heat exchanger, connected to the compressor, is used to cool the first portion of helium gas after compression. The regenerator is connected to the heat exchanger, the first turbine expander, and the liquid hydrogen storage tank cold shield, respectively, and is used to further cool the first portion of helium after the heat exchanger has been cooled. The first portion of helium after being cooled again flows into the first turbine expander. During the second cooling process, the first portion of helium is cooled again using the helium returning from the liquid hydrogen storage tank cold shield.

5. The system according to claim 4, characterized in that, Also includes: A helium flow solenoid valve is connected to both the regenerator and the first turbine expander, and is used to regulate the flow rate of helium from the regenerator to the first turbine expander.

6. A method for storing cryogenic propellants, characterized in that, A storage system for cryogenic propellants, the system comprising: a liquid oxygen tank, a liquid hydrogen tank, an engine, a compressor, a circulating refrigeration assembly, and a heating assembly, wherein the compressor is connected to the circulating refrigeration assembly and the heating assembly, the circulating refrigeration assembly is connected to both the liquid oxygen tank and the liquid hydrogen tank, and the heating assembly is connected to both the engine, the liquid oxygen tank, and the liquid hydrogen tank; the method comprising: The helium gas flowing into the compressor is compressed by the compressor. The first part of the compressed helium gas flows into the circulating refrigeration component, and the second part of the helium gas flows into the heating component. The first portion of helium is cooled by the circulating refrigeration component, and the cooled first portion of helium is used to cool the liquid hydrogen stored in the liquid hydrogen tank and the liquid oxygen stored in the liquid oxygen tank. The cooled first portion of helium is then returned to the compressor. The heating assembly uses the second portion of helium to heat the liquid oxygen flowing out of the liquid oxygen tank and the liquid hydrogen flowing out of the liquid hydrogen tank to obtain gaseous oxygen and gaseous hydrogen. The gaseous oxygen and gaseous hydrogen are then delivered to the engine. After the heating treatment, the second portion of helium flows back to the compressor. The system further includes: a battery assembly; the heating assembly is connected to the liquid hydrogen storage tank, the liquid oxygen storage tank, and the battery assembly; the battery assembly is connected to the compressor; the method further includes: The heating component uses the second portion of helium to heat the liquid oxygen flowing out of the liquid oxygen tank and the liquid hydrogen flowing out of the liquid hydrogen tank, and then delivers the heated liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen to the battery assembly. After the heating process, the second portion of helium flows back to the compressor. The battery assembly generates electrical energy based on the heat-treated liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, and supplies the generated electrical energy to the compressor. The heating assembly includes: a liquid oxygen vaporization heat exchanger, a liquid hydrogen vaporization heat exchanger, a liquid oxygen heating heat exchanger, and a liquid hydrogen heating heat exchanger. The liquid oxygen vaporization heat exchanger is connected to the compressor, the liquid oxygen storage tank, and the engine, respectively. The liquid hydrogen vaporization heat exchanger is connected to the liquid oxygen vaporization heat exchanger, the liquid hydrogen storage tank, and the engine, respectively. The liquid oxygen heating heat exchanger is connected to the liquid oxygen vaporization heat exchanger, the liquid oxygen storage tank, the battery assembly, and the compressor, respectively. The liquid hydrogen heating heat exchanger is connected to the liquid oxygen vaporization heat exchanger, the liquid hydrogen storage tank, the battery assembly, and the compressor, respectively. After the liquid oxygen flowing out of the liquid oxygen tank is heated by the second part of helium through the liquid oxygen gasification heat exchanger, gaseous oxygen is obtained and the gaseous oxygen is delivered to the engine. The heated helium is split into a third part of helium, a fourth part of helium and a fifth part of helium. The liquid hydrogen flowing out of the liquid hydrogen storage tank is heated by the third portion of helium through the liquid hydrogen vaporization heat exchanger to obtain gaseous hydrogen, which is then transported to the engine. The liquid oxygen flowing out of the liquid oxygen storage tank is heated by the fourth portion of helium through the liquid oxygen heating heat exchanger, and the heated liquid oxygen is delivered to the battery assembly. The heated fourth portion of helium is then returned to the compressor. The liquid hydrogen flowing out of the liquid hydrogen storage tank is heated by the fifth portion of helium through the liquid hydrogen heating heat exchanger, and the heated liquid hydrogen is delivered to the battery assembly. The heated fifth portion of helium is then returned to the compressor.

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