Liquid Degasser Using Gas Permeable Membrane for Space Propulsion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Space devices such as propulsion systems and life support systems face issues with gas bubbles in liquid propellants, leading to stalls and loss of control due to interrupted fuel flow and trapped gases.
Innovation Solution
A liquid degasser utilizing a gas permeable material, such as amorphous fluoropolymers like TEFLON® AF or polymers with silicon and fluorine, configured as a tube or membrane, contacts the liquid on one side and a vacuum on the other, allowing gas to diffuse out and be removed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If gas permeable material is used to remove gas from liquid, then gas removal efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a gas permeable material with porous structure that allows gas molecules to pass through while blocking liquid molecules. The porous medium is positioned in the liquid flow path, enabling continuous gas removal through diffusion and permeation without requiring complex mechanical separation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas permeable material acts as an intermediary substance between the liquid propellant and the vacuum environment. It facilitates selective gas transfer from the liquid to the vacuum side through its permeable structure, enabling efficient gas removal without direct contact between liquid and vacuum pumping systems.
2Productivity
If vacuum is applied to remove gas from liquid, then gas removal efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of vacuum (which would normally cause liquid evaporation and boiling) into a beneficial gas removal mechanism. By positioning the gas permeable material in a way that allows selective gas permeation, the vacuum environment enables efficient gas extraction while the porous structure prevents uncontrolled liquid evaporation.
Solution Approach 2:
The porous gas permeable material serves as a selective barrier that allows gas molecules to pass through to the vacuum side while preventing liquid molecules from evaporating. This selective permeation enables gas removal under vacuum conditions without the energy-intensive uncontrolled evaporation that would otherwise occur.
3Productivity
If gas permeable material is used, then gas removal from liquid is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gas permeable material is manufactured as a porous medium with controlled pore size and distribution. The porous structure is created through established manufacturing techniques that control porosity, surface area, and pore uniformity to achieve the desired gas permeation characteristics without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes parameters of the gas permeable material such as pore size, surface area, and thickness to achieve effective gas removal. By adjusting these parameters within practical manufacturing ranges, the system achieves high gas removal efficiency without demanding extreme manufacturing precision.
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
Effectively removes gases from liquid propellants, preventing stalls and ensuring continuous operation of space devices by efficiently removing gases like water vapor, CO2, and other gases, thereby maintaining control and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
the gas permeable material allows gas in the liquid propellant to diffuse to the vacuum to remove the gas from the liquid
Implementation Method 2
a gas permeable material configured for contact with a flow of liquid to be de-gassed on one side and a vacuum on the other side
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid degasser for a space device including a gas permeable material configured for contact with a flow of liquid to be de-gassed on one side and a vacuum on the other side, and wherein the gas permeable material allows gas in the liquid to diffuse to the vacuum to remove the gas from the liquid.