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Design, Simulation and Test of Thermal Control System of Centrifuge for Space Utilization

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Abstract

Taking centrifuge system for space utilization as the research object, an active air-cooling thermal control system is put forward. Physical models of the centrifuge thermal control system are built on the basis of simplifying assumptions under actual conditions. A numerical calculation model of centrifuge system is established by using the sliding mesh technique and flow resistance model of heat exchanger is introduced based on the porous medium theory. A numerical analysis of the dynamic heat exchange performance of the centrifuge is carried out and the results show the flow and heat exchange characteristics of each part of the system in the dynamic equilibrium state. Also, the centrifuge system and its heat exchange performance test platform are designed and built, and the monitoring probes are placed at the key position. The curves of the whole equilibrium process of key points are obtained and the test condition is consistent with numerical simulation condition. The equilibrium temperatures of the test are in agreement with that of the numerical analysis, which proves that the numerical model and calculation method are accurate. Meanwhile, the test and numerical analysis results can also improve each other to provide data and supporting techniques for in-orbit engineering utilization of manned space station in future.

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Acknowledgments

The work presented is sponsored by the Manned Space National Science and Technology Major Project, which is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Energy Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, People’s Republic of China

    Yu Zhang, Shikui Dong & Heping Tan

  2. Key Laboratory of Space Utilization, Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100094, People’s Republic of China

    Yu Zhang, Ke Wang, Yanlin Zhou & Qiang Sheng

Authors
  1. Yu Zhang
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  2. Shikui Dong
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  3. Ke Wang
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  4. Yanlin Zhou
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Yu Zhang or Shikui Dong.

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This article belongs to the Topical Collection: Thirty Years of Microgravity Research - A Topical Collection Dedicated to J. C. Legros

Guest Editor: Valentina Shevtsova

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Zhang, Y., Dong, S., Wang, K. et al. Design, Simulation and Test of Thermal Control System of Centrifuge for Space Utilization. Microgravity Sci. Technol. 32, 761–772 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12217-020-09819-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12217-020-09819-7

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