Launch Pad Propellant Recovery and Liquefaction for Emission Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Launch pads face challenges in managing high-temperature and high-pressure exhaust gases from launch vehicles, and the use of cryogenic propellants leads to greenhouse gas emissions and inefficient propellant utilization.
Innovation Solution
A launch pad system that recovers and liquefies exhaust gases, using them as propellants or generating electricity, through a fuel recovery line, freezing units, and fuel/oxidizer transfer systems, including fuel cells for efficient reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cryogenic propellant is used for launch vehicle charging, then propellant efficiency is improved, but greenhouse gas emissions occur due to vaporization and abandonment of propellant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a propellant recovery system that captures vaporized propellant through vent ports, condenses it using heat exchangers, and returns it to the propellant storage tank. This prevents propellant from being abandoned to the atmosphere, thereby eliminating greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining propellant efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful vaporized propellant that would otherwise be emitted to the atmosphere into a beneficial resource by condensing and recovering it. The vaporized propellant is transformed back into liquid form through cooling and returned to the storage tank, turning an environmental hazard into a reusable propellant supply.
2Ease of operation
If propellant is vaporized during charging, then propellant can be transferred, but the vaporized propellant is abandoned to the atmosphere causing environmental issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a condensation system as an intermediary between the vaporized propellant and the atmosphere. The heat exchanger acts as a mediator that captures the vaporized propellant, condenses it back to liquid form, and returns it to the storage tank, preventing direct emission to the atmosphere while facilitating propellant transfer operations.
3Reliability
If exhaust gases are discharged at high temperature and pressure, then launch vehicle operation is maintained, but the launch pad structure is at risk of destruction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful high-temperature and high-pressure exhaust gases from the launch pad environment through dedicated exhaust ports and discharge channels. By directing these gases away from the launch pad structure through controlled pathways, the system maintains launch vehicle operation while protecting the structural integrity of the launch pad.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances propellant efficiency, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and provides a more sustainable launch pad operation by recycling and reusing exhaust propellants.
Implementation Method 1
a freezing unit provided on the fuel recovery line to cool the fuel, wherein the fuel may be liquefied through the freezing unit and introduced into the launch pad fuel tank
Implementation Method 2
a fuel cell connected to the launch pad fuel tank and the launch pad oxidizer tank, wherein the fuel may be hydrogen, the oxidizer may be oxygen, and the fuel cell may receive hydrogen from the launch pad fuel tank and receive oxygen from the launch pad oxidizer tank to generate electricity
Data Source
AI summary
A launch pad system includes a fuel vent port provided in a launch vehicle, a launch pad fuel tank provided outside the launch vehicle to store fuel, a fuel recovery line connecting the fuel vent port and the launch pad fuel tank such that the fuel is transferred therethrough, and a fuel transfer unit provided on the fuel recovery line to transfer the fuel, wherein the fuel may be recovered from the launch vehicle to the launch pad fuel tank.