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A Model-based Design of the Water Membrane Evaporator for the Advanced Spacesuit

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Abstract

A spacesuit water membrane evaporator (SWME) based on the hollow fiber membrane bundle is regarded as a promising technology for the advanced thermal management system of the next-generation spacesuit. This paper focuses on theoretical modelling and finite element analysis for the SWME and parametrical optimization. The heat transfer process of the elongated hollow fiber membranes is studied via segment modelling and energy balance method. A comprehensive Finite element analysis is conducted in different dimensions to analyze the influence of fiber tube arrangements and the size of the evaporation chamber. An SWME prototype is also developed. Heat rejection experiments are conducted to verify the theoretical analysis. The work of this paper helps to gain a deep understanding of the heat dissipation process of the hollow fiber membranes and could be referred to for further optimization of the SWME devices.

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Acknowledgements

The research is supported by the State Key Laboratory of Human factors engineering, China Astronaut Research and Training Center. The authors also would like to acknowledge Dr. Zhiqiang Wu of the China Astronaut Research and Training Center for review the whole manuscript and the helpful discussions on topics related to this work.

Funding

The work is funded by the State Key Laboratory of Human factors engineering, China Astronaut Research and Training Center.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Human Factors Engineering, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, 100094, China

    Zhaoshu Yang, Litao Liu, Qinghua Hu & Minzheng Sun

  2. China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, 100094, China

    Xiaoqing Gong & Xu Han

Authors
  1. Zhaoshu Yang
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  2. Xiaoqing Gong
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  3. Xu Han
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  4. Litao Liu
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  5. Qinghua Hu
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  6. Minzheng Sun
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Contributions

The contributions of each author are listed below: Zhaoshu Yang wrote the main manuscript and conducted the experiment; Xiaoqing Gong did the COMSOL simulation in 1D and 2D levels; Xu Han did the COMSOL simulation at 3D level; Litao Liu fabricated the prototype; Qinghua hu and Minzheng Sun helped to set up the experiment equipment.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zhaoshu Yang.

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Yang, Z., Gong, X., Han, X. et al. A Model-based Design of the Water Membrane Evaporator for the Advanced Spacesuit. Microgravity Sci. Technol. 35, 5 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12217-022-10030-z

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