Lunar base cogeneration system

Abstract

This invention discloses a combined heat and power system for a lunar base, comprising a first circulating heat exchange pipe that transfers heat from the heat output end of a spectral adaptive control unit to a water-ice thermal storage unit. The water-ice thermal storage unit has a second circulating heat exchange pipe that transfers heat to a lunar base heating unit and a third circulating heat exchange pipe that transfers heat to a thermoelectric power generation unit. This invention achieves efficient heat collection during the day when the solar collector panel temperature is low due to the high absorption in the solar band and low emission in the infrared band of the spectral adaptive coating. When the solar collector panel temperature is too high, the high infrared emission of the spectral adaptive coating allows the plate to cool down through radiation. In the high solar radiation environment of the lunar surface, this adaptive working mode can prevent the plate from overheating. At night, when solar radiation is lacking, the plate remains in a low infrared emission state, avoiding destructive damage and reduced service life due to excessively low temperature caused by radiation heat exchange.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of energy storage technology for lunar bases, and in particular to a combined heat and power system for lunar bases. Background Technology

[0002] As Earth's only natural satellite, lunar exploration is shifting from short-term probes to long-term stays and resource development. However, due to the lack of an atmosphere, the lunar surface experiences extreme temperature fluctuations, with daytime temperatures reaching 127°C and nighttime temperatures plummeting to -173°C. These drastic temperature swings severely impact the operational stability and lifespan of precision instruments within research stations. Furthermore, the lunar day-night cycle is approximately 14 Earth days long, and the lunar night is even longer in the lunar south pole due to terrain obstruction. Traditional solar photovoltaic and solar thermal systems are inoperable during the lunar night, and relying on Earth for energy replenishment is limited by rocket launch weight restrictions, hindering the large-scale transport of thermal storage materials or energy equipment. Therefore, how to utilize in-situ lunar resources to construct an efficient, stable, and usable combined heat and power (CHP) system during the lunar night has become a core issue that urgently needs to be addressed for the sustainable development of lunar research stations. Utility Model Content

[0003] This invention aims to at least partially solve one of the technical problems in related technologies. Therefore, one objective of this invention is to propose a combined heat and power (CHP) system for a lunar base. This system utilizes a spectral adaptive control unit and water ice, an in-situ lunar resource, to achieve solar heat collection and water ice storage during the lunar daytime low temperatures, radiative cooling to prevent overheating damage to the collector plates during the high temperatures, and reduced radiation by the collector plates during the lunar night to insulate themselves while the water ice stores heat to directly heat the base and generate electricity through the temperature difference with the ultra-low lunar night environment. This solves the problem of overheating and overcooling damage to traditional solar collector plates under the huge temperature difference between day and night on the lunar surface, and also avoids the technical difficulty of modifying the original lunar soil when using lunar soil for heat storage. It fully utilizes in-situ lunar resources to meet the stable energy supply needs during the lunar night in the early stages of lunar research station construction.

[0004] A combined heat and power system for a lunar base, according to this utility model, includes: A spectrum adaptive control unit that collects heat when its own temperature is too low and cools down when its temperature is too high. Water ice thermal storage unit for storing heat; Lunar base heating unit used for heating the lunar base; Thermoelectric generator unit for thermoelectric power generation; The heat output terminal of the spectral adaptive control unit is provided with a circulating heat exchange pipeline one for transferring heat to the water ice thermal storage unit. The water ice thermal storage unit is provided with a circulating heat exchange pipeline two for transferring heat to the lunar base heating unit and a circulating heat exchange pipeline three for transferring heat to the thermoelectric power generation unit.

[0005] Preferably, the spectral adaptive control unit includes a spectral adaptive control plate, which includes a solar collector and a shell. The solar collector is located inside the shell. The upper surface of the solar collector is provided with a spectral adaptive coating that collects heat when the temperature is too low and cools down when the temperature is too high. A glass cover is provided at the upper end of the spectral adaptive coating. Multiple sets of heat transfer pipes are provided at the lower end of the solar collector. An installation groove is provided on the shell corresponding to the position of the heat transfer pipe. The heat transfer pipe is welded and fixed to the installation groove. A heat insulation coating is provided at the outside of the installation groove and at the welded connection between the heat transfer pipe and the installation groove.

[0006] Preferably, the water-ice thermal storage unit includes an insulated container and multiple sets of thermal storage tanks containing water ice. The multiple sets of thermal storage tanks are located inside the insulated container. The gap between the inside of the insulated container and the outside of the thermal storage tanks is filled with a heat transfer medium. A heat transfer pipe is connected to the inside of the insulated container through a circulating heat exchange pipe. Both the heat transfer pipe and the circulating heat exchange pipe are filled with a heat transfer medium.

[0007] Preferably, a temperature detection unit for detecting the internal temperature of the heat insulation container is installed on the outside of the heat insulation container.

[0008] Preferably, the outer side of the heat-insulating container is provided with a lunar soil layer.

[0009] Preferably, the lunar base heating unit includes a second heat transfer pipe for supplying heat to the lunar base. The second heat transfer pipe is connected to the interior of the insulation container through a second circulating heat exchange pipe. Both the interior of the second heat transfer pipe and the interior of the second circulating heat exchange pipe are filled with a heat transfer medium.

[0010] Preferably, the hot end of the thermoelectric power generation unit is provided with a heat transfer pipe three, which is connected to the interior of the insulation container through a circulating heat exchange pipe three. Both the interior of the heat transfer pipe three and the interior of the circulating heat exchange pipe three are filled with a heat transfer medium, and the cold end of the thermoelectric power generation unit directly exchanges heat with the external environment.

[0011] Preferably, all three circulating heat exchange pipelines are equipped with solenoid valves and drive pumps.

[0012] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: During the day, when the plate temperature is low, the high absorption in the solar band and low emission in the infrared band of the spectral adaptive coating achieves efficient heat collection. When the solar collector plate temperature is too high, the high emission in the infrared band of the coating allows the plate to cool down through radiation. In the high solar radiation environment of the lunar surface, this adaptive working mode can prevent the plate from overheating. At night, when the plate lacks solar radiation and remains at a low temperature, the coating is in a low-emission state in the infrared band, avoiding destructive damage and reduced service life due to excessively low temperature caused by radiative heat exchange. This temperature-adaptive working method can fully withstand the harsh environment of the lunar surface, where the temperature difference between day and night is approximately 300°C, extending the service life of the solar collector plate. It optimizes the key problem of traditional solar collector plates requiring significant heat preservation on the lunar surface, making it more suitable for the long-term unattended autonomous working mode of a lunar base. Compared to traditional high-pressure thermal storage systems, this system utilizes the physical property of water ice, whose saturated vapor pressure at 0°C is only 610 Pa (0.6% of standard atmospheric pressure). This means that only commonly used aerospace materials such as polymers, aluminum alloys, and titanium alloys are required to meet the sealing requirements. This characteristic gives the system significant advantages: no need for complex high-pressure sealing structure design, a wide range of material selection, reduced maintenance costs suitable for long-term unattended operation, and reduced payload mass required for spacecraft launches. In summary, this system combines spectral adaptive control of solar thermal and radiative cooling technologies with water-ice phase change thermal storage to design a thermal control system for energy supply to a lunar base. This system is designed for the unique environment of the lunar surface, characterized by the absence of an atmosphere, abundant solar resources, rich water ice reserves, and significant diurnal temperature variations. During the lunar day, the system efficiently collects heat while maintaining the solar collectors at suitable operating temperatures and regulates the temperature of the water-ice thermal storage material to reduce the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the storage tank. During the lunar night, it provides heat to the lunar base while preventing the collectors from freezing and synergistically utilizes the coldness of the lunar night environment with the small amount of heat stored during the lunar day for moderate temperature-differential power generation. This fully utilizes in-situ lunar resources, solves the problems of high energy efficiency and low cost associated with battery-powered heating during the lunar night, reduces the launch weight of spacecraft, and is beneficial for improving the energy system structure of the lunar base. Attached Figure Description

[0013] In the attached diagram: Figure 1 This is a structural block diagram of a combined heat and power system for a lunar base proposed in this utility model; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the operation of the heat storage mode during the lunar day proposed in this utility model; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the operation of the heating mode and the thermoelectric power generation mode during the lunar night proposed in this utility model; Figure 4This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the spectral adaptive control plate proposed in this utility model; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the water-ice thermal storage unit proposed in this utility model.

[0014] In the diagram: 1-Spectrum adaptive control unit, 2-Flow valve one, 3-Water ice thermal storage unit, 4-Flow valve two, 5-Drive pump one, 6-Flow valve three, 7-Lunar base heating unit, 8-Temperature detection unit, 9-Drive pump two, 10-Flow valve four, 11-Flow valve five, 12-Thermoelectric power generation unit, 13-Flow valve six, 14-Glass cover plate, 15-Spectrum adaptive coating, 16-Solar collector plate, 17-Shell shell, 18-Heat transfer pipe one, 19-Insulation coating, 20-Lunar soil layer, 21-Insulated container, 22-Heat transfer medium, 23-Storage tank, 24-Water ice. Detailed Implementation

[0015] Reference Figure 1 A combined heat and power system for a lunar base, comprising: Spectral adaptive control unit 1, which collects heat when its own temperature is too low and cools down when its temperature is too high; Water ice thermal storage unit 3 for storing heat; Lunar base heating unit 7, used for heating the lunar base; Thermoelectric power generation unit 12 for thermoelectric power generation; The heat output end of the spectral adaptive control unit 1 is provided with a circulating heat exchange pipeline 1 for transferring heat to the water ice thermal storage unit 3. The water ice thermal storage unit 3 is provided with a circulating heat exchange pipeline 2 for transferring heat to the lunar base heating unit 7 and a circulating heat exchange pipeline 3 for transferring heat to the thermoelectric power generation unit 12.

[0016] Obviously, based on the above: the spectral adaptive control unit 1 efficiently collects heat according to its own temperature, while avoiding excessively high temperatures that would reduce its service life. The water ice thermal storage unit 3 stores the heat collected by the spectral adaptive control unit 1 to provide heat for the lunar base heating unit 7 and the thermoelectric power generation unit 12.

[0017] In this embodiment, refer to Figure 4The spectral adaptive control unit 1 includes a spectral adaptive control plate, which includes a solar collector plate 16 and a shell 17. The solar collector plate 16 is located inside the shell 17. The upper surface of the solar collector plate 16 is provided with a spectral adaptive coating 15, which collects heat when the temperature of the solar collector plate 16 is too low and cools down when the temperature is too high. A glass cover plate 14 is provided at the upper end of the spectral adaptive coating 15. Multiple sets of heat transfer pipes 18 are provided at the lower end of the solar collector plate 16. The shell 17 is provided with an installation groove at the position of the heat transfer pipes 18. The heat transfer pipes 18 are welded and fixed to the installation groove. The heat transfer pipes 18 are provided with a heat insulation coating 19 at the outside of the installation groove and at the welded connection between the heat transfer pipes 18 and the installation groove.

[0018] Specifically, the spectrally adaptive coating 15 can be made of VO2 / BaF2 / AZO. The working principle is as follows: when the temperature is below the phase transition temperature of the vanadium dioxide VO2 film, the vanadium dioxide VO2 film is an insulating phase and exhibits high transmittance characteristics in the infrared band. The coating as a whole exhibits high absorption characteristics in the solar band and low emission characteristics in the infrared band, which improves the solar thermal collection performance during the lunar day and reduces radiative heat loss during the lunar night to prevent the plate from overcooling. When the temperature rises above the phase transition temperature of the vanadium dioxide VO2 film, the vanadium dioxide VO2 film changes from an insulating phase to a metallic phase and exhibits high reflectance characteristics in the infrared band. The coating as a whole exhibits high emission characteristics in the infrared band, which improves the radiative heat transfer performance and reduces the plate temperature to prevent the plate from overheating.

[0019] It should be noted that the spectral adaptive coating 15 can also be a radiation cooling film based on phase change material disclosed in patent publication number CN214469444U. This system only applies this type of film and does not involve structural improvements.

[0020] Obviously, based on the above: the spectral adaptive coating 15 is set on the upper surface of the solar collector plate 16. During the lunar day, the solar collector plate 16 initially has a low temperature. The spectral adaptive coating 15 exhibits high absorption characteristics in the solar band and low emission characteristics in the infrared band, allowing the solar collector plate 16 to quickly collect heat and rapidly heat up, transferring the temperature to the water-ice thermal storage unit 3 for heat storage. When the temperature of the solar collector plate 16 rises above the threshold, the spectral adaptive coating 15 exhibits high emission characteristics in the infrared band, improving the radiative heat transfer performance and reducing the temperature of the solar collector plate 16 to prevent overheating. At the same time, a glass cover plate 14 is set above the spectral adaptive coating 15 to prevent the solar collector plate 16 from being damaged by radiation such as cosmic rays. Specifically, the heat transfer pipe 18 is S-shaped, which can make the heat transfer efficiency of the heat transfer pipe 18 higher.

[0021] Reference Figure 5The water-ice thermal storage unit 3 includes an insulated container 21 and multiple sets of thermal storage tanks 23 containing water-ice 24. The multiple sets of thermal storage tanks 23 are located inside the insulated container 21. The gap between the inside of the insulated container 21 and the outside of the thermal storage tanks 23 is filled with a heat transfer medium 22. A heat transfer pipe 18 is connected to the inside of the insulated container 21 through a circulating heat exchange pipe 1. Both the heat transfer pipe 18 and the circulating heat exchange pipe 1 are filled with a heat transfer medium 22.

[0022] Obviously, based on the above, by setting up a flowable heat transfer medium 22, the heat from the spectral adaptive control unit 1 can be transferred to the heat storage tank 23 for heat storage through the circulating heat exchange pipeline.

[0023] Reference Figure 1 A temperature detection unit 8 for detecting the internal temperature of the heat insulation container 21 is installed on the outside of the heat insulation container 21.

[0024] Obviously, based on the above: the temperature detection unit 8 can detect the temperature inside the water ice thermal storage unit 3 in real time. When the temperature inside the water ice thermal storage unit 3 is lower than the threshold, the heating supply to the thermoelectric generator unit 12 can be turned off, and the heating supply to the lunar base heating unit 7 can be concentrated.

[0025] Reference Figure 5 The outer side of the heat-insulating container 21 is provided with a lunar soil layer 20.

[0026] Obviously, based on the above, the low thermal conductivity (0.015 W / (m·K)) of the original lunar soil can be used as a thermal insulation material to reduce heat storage loss.

[0027] Reference Figure 3 The lunar base heating unit 7 includes a heat transfer pipe 2 for heating the lunar base. The heat transfer pipe 2 is connected to the interior of the heat insulation container 21 through a circulating heat exchange pipe 2. Both the interior of the heat transfer pipe 2 and the interior of the circulating heat exchange pipe 2 are filled with a heat transfer medium 22.

[0028] Obviously, based on the above, the heat stored in the water ice heat storage unit 3 can be transported to the lunar base heating unit 7 by the arrangement of the flowable heat transfer medium 22.

[0029] Reference Figure 3 The hot end of the thermoelectric power generation unit 12 is provided with a heat transfer pipe three, which is connected to the inside of the heat insulation container 21 through a circulating heat exchange pipe three. Both the inside of the heat transfer pipe three and the inside of the circulating heat exchange pipe three are filled with heat transfer medium 22. The cold end of the thermoelectric power generation unit 12 directly exchanges heat with the external environment.

[0030] Obviously, based on the above, the heat stored in the water-ice thermal storage unit 3 can be transferred to the thermoelectric power generation unit 12 through the arrangement of the flowable heat transfer medium 22.

[0031] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 Solenoid valves and drive pumps are installed on the circulating heat exchange pipelines one, two, and three.

[0032] Specifically, a flow valve 2 is provided at the output end of the heat transfer medium 22 near the spectral adaptive control unit 1 in circulating heat exchange pipeline 1; a flow valve 4 and a drive pump 5 are provided at the return end of the heat transfer medium 22 near the spectral adaptive control unit 1 in circulating heat exchange pipeline 1; a flow valve 6 is provided at the inlet of the heat transfer medium 22 near the lunar base heating unit 7 in circulating heat exchange pipeline 2; a flow valve 10 is provided at the outlet of the heat transfer medium 22 near the lunar base heating unit 7 in circulating heat exchange pipeline 2; a flow valve 11 is provided at the inlet of the heat transfer medium 22 near the thermoelectric generator unit 12 in circulating heat exchange pipeline 3; and a flow valve 13 is provided at the outlet of the heat transfer medium 22 near the thermoelectric generator unit 12 in circulating heat exchange pipeline 3. The lunar base heating unit 7 and the thermoelectric generator unit 12 share a set of heat transfer medium 22 return pipelines to return the heat transfer medium 22 to the interior of the water ice thermal storage unit 3. A drive pump 9 is provided on this pipeline.

[0033] To more clearly illustrate the implementation plan and its effects, we will use the attached diagram as an example: Lunar daytime heat collection and storage phase: like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, during the lunar day, the spectral adaptive control unit 1 receives solar radiation and enters the heat collection mode, converting solar energy into thermal energy. At the same time, flow valve 2 and flow valve 4 are opened, while the remaining flow valves are closed. The heat exchange medium absorbs the heat generated by the spectral adaptive control unit 1 and transfers the heat to the water ice thermal storage unit 3 through the circulating heat exchange pipeline 1 for storage. This heat is used to supply the heating unit 7 of the lunar base and the thermoelectric power generation unit 1 with the heat required for normal operation during the lunar night.

[0034] Moonlit Heating and Power Generation Phase: like Figure 1 and Figure 3As shown, during the lunar night, flow valves 6, 10, 11, and 13 are opened, while the remaining flow valves are closed. On one hand, a portion of the heat stored in the water-ice thermal storage unit 3 is transferred to the lunar base heating unit 7 through the circulating heat exchange pipeline 2. On the other hand, the water-ice thermal storage unit 3, acting as a heat source, transfers another portion of the heat to the thermoelectric generator unit 12 through the circulating heat exchange pipeline 3. The lunar surface environment, acting as a cold source, transfers heat to the hot end of the thermoelectric generator unit 12 through the heat transfer pipeline 3, generating electricity through thermoelectricity. The resulting electricity is then transferred to the loads of the lunar base via a circuit. If the lunar night lasts too long, the temperature of the water-ice thermal storage unit 3 can be monitored in a timely manner through the temperature detection unit 8. Depending on the situation, flow valves 11 and 13 can be closed to stop the operation of the thermoelectric generator unit 12, leaving only the function of supplying heat to the lunar base heating unit 7 to ensure the base's required heat.

Claims

1. A combined heat and power system for a lunar base, characterized in that, include: A spectrum adaptive control unit (1) that collects heat when its own temperature is too low and cools down when its temperature is too high. Water ice thermal storage unit (3) for storing heat. Lunar base heating unit (7) used for heating the lunar base; Thermoelectric generator unit (12) for thermoelectric power generation. The heat output end of the spectral adaptive control unit (1) is provided with a circulating heat exchange pipeline 1 for transferring heat to the water ice thermal storage unit (3). The water ice thermal storage unit (3) is provided with a circulating heat exchange pipeline 2 for transferring heat to the lunar base heating unit (7) and a circulating heat exchange pipeline 3 for transferring heat to the thermoelectric power generation unit (12).

2. The lunar base cogeneration system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spectral adaptive control unit (1) includes a spectral adaptive control plate, which includes a solar collector plate (16) and a shell (17). The solar collector plate (16) is located inside the shell (17). The upper surface of the solar collector plate (16) is provided with a spectral adaptive coating (15) that collects heat when the temperature of the solar collector plate (16) is too low and cools down when the temperature is too high. The upper end of the spectral adaptive coating (15) is provided with a glass cover plate (14). The lower end of the solar collector plate (16) is provided with multiple sets of heat transfer pipes (18). The shell (17) is provided with an installation groove at the position corresponding to the heat transfer pipes (18). The heat transfer pipes (18) are welded and fixed to the installation groove. The heat transfer pipes (18) located outside the installation groove and the connection between the heat transfer pipes (18) and the installation groove are provided with a heat insulation coating (19).

3. A lunar base combined heat and power system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The water-ice thermal storage unit (3) includes an insulated container (21) and multiple sets of thermal storage tanks (23) with water ice (24) inside. The multiple sets of thermal storage tanks (23) are located inside the insulated container (21). The gap between the inside of the insulated container (21) and the outside of the thermal storage tanks (23) is filled with heat transfer medium (22). The first heat transfer pipe (18) is connected to the inside of the insulated container (21) through the first circulating heat exchange pipe. Both the first heat transfer pipe (18) and the first circulating heat exchange pipe are filled with heat transfer medium (22).

4. A lunar base combined heat and power system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The heat insulation container (21) is equipped with a temperature detection unit (8) for detecting the internal temperature of the heat insulation container (21).

5. A lunar base combined heat and power system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The outer side of the heat-insulating container (21) is provided with a lunar soil layer (20).

6. A lunar base combined heat and power system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The lunar base heating unit (7) includes a heat transfer pipe 2 for supplying heat to the lunar base. The heat transfer pipe 2 is connected to the interior of the heat insulation container (21) through a circulating heat exchange pipe 2. Both the interior of the heat transfer pipe 2 and the interior of the circulating heat exchange pipe 2 are filled with a heat transfer medium (22).

7. A lunar base cogeneration system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The hot end of the thermoelectric generator unit (12) is provided with a heat transfer pipe three. The heat transfer pipe three is connected to the interior of the heat insulation container (21) through a circulating heat exchange pipe three. The interior of the heat transfer pipe three and the interior of the circulating heat exchange pipe three are filled with heat transfer medium (22). The cold end of the thermoelectric generator unit (12) directly exchanges heat with the external environment.

8. A lunar base combined heat and power system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Solenoid valves and drive pumps are installed on all three circulating heat exchange pipelines: circulating heat exchange pipeline one, circulating heat exchange pipeline two, and circulating heat exchange pipeline three.

Images