RU2518467C2 - Ionic power plant for spacecrafts - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: transport.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to spacecraft electric power systems. The proposed ionic power plant (PP) includes working medium source made in the form of aluminium-27 isotope storage and feed system with source of vapours (SV) of this isotope. The PP also contains neutraliser, accelerating system, collision chamber (CC) and magnetic system connected with electric power source via converter. Outlet of SV is connected with CC. The PP comprises heat exchangers to heat SV and CC which exchangers are connected with source of thermal energy, as well as sources of alpha-particles (radio-nuclides) built into CC. The inner surface of CC is coated with layer of high-porous structure made of boron carbide and beryllium oxide mixture. SV and CC are heated to temperature not less than aluminium-27 boiling temperature (at negative pressure existing in the CC). Aluminium vapours are exposed to radiation of alpha-particles in the CC. Herewith, along with ionisation, some nuclear reactions yielding highest-energy particles and gammas are executed. For example it could be expected to get speeds about 2.5·10⁴ m/s for silicium-30 nuclears and about 3·10⁷ m/s for some portion of neutrons.

EFFECT: lower power consumption for working medium ionisation (higher coefficient of efficiency of PP) and higher specific impulse of PP.

1 dwg

Description

This invention relates to propulsion systems (DU) of spacecraft (SC), designed to move spacecraft in outer space.

An analogue of the proposed remote control can serve as a direct-flow photon engine project with an electronic mirror [1]. These engines use the annihilation reaction, so the specific impulse has the highest possible value and is equal to the speed of light. However

 To carry out the annihilation reaction in this engine, it is proposed to use anti-hydrogen, which should be supplied to the reaction zone from the on-board antimatter battery, and ordinary substance, which can be supplied to the reaction zone from both the on-board battery and the surrounding area.

The disadvantage of the analogue is the fact that to date, the on-board antimatter battery has not been created and it is not known how it is possible to create it. In addition, it will be problematic to create an electronic mirror, especially in low Earth orbits due to the influence of the upper atmosphere, as well as in radiation belts due to the influence of charged particles of radiation belts.

The prototype of the proposed remote control can be an ion engine [2], consisting of: a source of a working fluid, a series-connected source of electric energy and an electric energy converter, an ionization chamber, a magnetic system, a converter and an accelerating system, electrically connected to the electric energy converter.

There are no temperature restrictions in an ionic engine, therefore, in principle, it is possible to achieve arbitrarily large flow rates up to those approaching the speed of light.

However, the disadvantage of the ion engine is the fact that in order to increase the flow rate, it is necessary to increase the cost of electricity for accelerating the ions of the working fluid and, accordingly, the power of the source of electric energy on board the spacecraft, and therefore its mass. In this case, the mass of the electric power source will increase much more than the thrust and, as a result, the reactive acceleration reported by the spacecraft will greatly decrease [3], [4, p. 28]. The achievable values of the outflow velocity lie in the range from 15 to 100 km / s [2], [4, p.24].

One of the main parameters determining the energy efficiency of an ion engine is the energy price of an ion in a beam, which is the ratio of the electric power consumed by an ion source (ionization chamber) to the number of ions entering the accelerating system per unit time, which characterizes the energy consumption for ionization of the working fluid [4, p. 30], [5, p. 53-54].

The lower the price of the ion, that is, the cost of electricity for ionization of the working fluid, the higher the energy efficiency, and accordingly, the efficiency of the ion engine [5, p. 53-54]. Ions in ion engines are formed mainly either in a gas discharge as a result of electron impacts, or when atoms of the working substance come into contact with a heated surface [5, p. 50-51]. In both cases, energy is consumed, in the first case, to maintain the discharge, in the second, to heat the ionizer body, which occur continuously throughout the entire engine cycle. The cost of electricity for the ionization of the atoms of the working fluid is another drawback of the ion engine, since they can significantly reduce the energy efficiency, and accordingly, the efficiency of the ion engine [6] and can reach values of about 20-40% [4, p. 26, 30, 237-239, 247, 251].

The objective of the invention is to reduce the cost of electricity for the ionization of the atoms of the working fluid and, as a consequence, increase the efficiency of the engine, as well as increasing the speed of the expiration of the working fluid while maintaining the cost of electricity for accelerating the ions of the working fluid and, accordingly, maintaining the power of the source of electrical energy on board KA.

), при этом источники альфа-частиц встроены в ионизационную камеру, на внутреннюю поверхность которой нанесен слой высокопористой структуры из смеси карбида бора и оксида бериллия, причем источник паров изотопа алюминия 27 и ионизационная камера нагреваются до температуры не ниже температуры кипения алюминия 27.This problem is solved in that in the proposed ionic propulsion system of the spacecraft, which includes a source of the working fluid, a source of electrical energy and a transducer of electrical energy, an ionization chamber, a magnetic system, a neutralizer and an accelerating system electrically connected to the electrical energy converter, the source of the working fluid is made in in the form of a storage system and supply of aluminum isotope 27 in the solid phase, also a source of aluminum isotope vapor 27 is introduced into the ion propulsion system; for which it is connected with the output of the storage system and supply of the aluminum isotope 27 in the solid phase, and the output of the vapor source of the aluminum isotope 27 is in communication with the ionization chamber, a heat source, a heat exchanger for heating the vapor source of the aluminum isotope 27, connected in heat to the heat source and a source of aluminum isotope vapors 27, as well as a heat exchanger for heating the ionization chamber, connected in heat to a source of thermal energy, sources of alpha particles containing radioactive isotopes emitted are also introduced Suitable long-range alpha particles (e.g. isotopes of polonium $${}_{84}^{210}Po$$

), while the sources of alpha particles are built into the ionization chamber, on the inner surface of which a layer of a highly porous structure of a mixture of boron carbide and beryllium oxide is deposited, the vapor source of the aluminum isotope 27 and the ionization chamber being heated to a temperature not lower than the boiling point of aluminum 27.

The drawing shows a diagram illustrating the proposed remote control KA, where:

1 - source of electrical energy;

2 - electric energy converter;

3 - ionization chamber;

4 - magnetic system;

5 - neutralizer;

6 - accelerating system;

7 - system for storage and supply of aluminum isotope 27 in the solid phase;

8 - source of aluminum isotope vapor 27;

9 - a source of thermal energy;

10 - a heat exchanger for heating a source of vapor of an aluminum isotope 27;

11 - heat exchanger for heating the ionization chamber;

12 - sources of alpha particles;

13 - a layer of highly porous structure, consisting of a mixture of boron carbide and beryllium oxide, deposited on the inner surface of the ionization chamber having a highly porous structure.

), при этом источники альфа-частиц встроены в ионизационную камеру 3, на внутреннюю поверхность которой нанесен слой высокопористой структуры из смеси карбида бора и оксида бериллия 13, причем источник паров изотопа алюминия 27 поз.8 и ионизационная камера 3 нагреваются до температуры не ниже температуры кипения алюминия 27.The spacecraft’s ion propulsion system includes a source of a working fluid in the form of an aluminum isotope storage and supply system 27 in solid phase 7, an electric energy source 1 and an electric energy converter 2, an ionization chamber 3, a magnetic system 4, a neutralizer 5, and an accelerating system 6, electrically connected with an electric energy converter 2, an aluminum isotope vapor source of 27 pos. 8 is introduced into the propulsion system, the input of which is connected to the output of the isotope storage and supply system aluminum opaque 27 in the solid phase 7, and the output of the aluminum isotope vapor source 27 pos. 8 is in communication with the ionization chamber 3, a heat energy source 9, a heat exchanger for heating the aluminum isotope vapor source 27 pos. 10 connected in heat to the heat energy source are also introduced 9 and an aluminum isotope vapor source 27, item 8, as well as a heat exchanger for heating the ionization chamber 11, connected in heat to a heat energy source 9, sources of alpha particles 12 containing radioactive isotopes emitting long-range alpha particles are also introduced (E.g., isotopes $${}_{84}^{210}Po$$

), while the sources of alpha particles are embedded in the ionization chamber 3, on the inner surface of which a layer of a highly porous structure of a mixture of boron carbide and beryllium oxide 13 is deposited, the vapor source of the aluminum isotope 27 pos.8 and ionization chamber 3 being heated to a temperature not lower than the temperature boiling aluminum 27.

The functioning of the proposed ion propulsion system of the spacecraft is as follows. From the storage system and supply of the aluminum isotope 27 in the solid phase 7, the aluminum isotope 27 enters the vapor source of the aluminum isotope 27 pos.8, in the vapor source pos.8 aluminum using a heat exchanger to heat the vapor source of the aluminum isotope 27 pos.10 is not heated below the boiling point and goes into a gaseous state, then the pairs of aluminum isotope 27 enter the ionization chamber 3, and the temperature of the ionization chamber with a heat exchanger to heat the ionization chamber 11 is maintained at a level not lower than the boiling point of aluminum 27 in order to prevent condensation of aluminum vapor on the walls of the ionization chamber 3.

In the ionization chamber, aluminum vapors are irradiated with alpha particles resulting from the alpha decay of radioactive isotopes from sources of alpha particles 12.

Moreover, with alpha decay of atomic nuclei, quite often not all of the energy of the nucleus is converted into kinetic energy of motion of the alpha particle and product nucleus. Part of this energy can go to excite the product core. This core, shortly after the emission of an alpha particle, emits one or more gamma rays and returns to its normal state [7, p.338], [8, p.106]. Thus, sources of alpha particles will emit not only alpha particles, but also gamma rays. The energy of gamma rays emitted as a result of alpha decay usually does not exceed 0.5 MeV [8, p. 106].

When an atom of an aluminum isotope is irradiated by 27 with an alpha particle, a phosphorus 30 isotope and a neutron are formed [7, p. 341]:

$${}_{13}^{27}Al{+}_2^{\mathrm{four}}He{=}_{\mathrm{fifteen}}^{\mathrm{thirty}}P{+}_0^{\mathrm{one}}n,\left(\mathrm{one}\right)$$

- ядро изотопа алюминия 27, $${}_2^{4}He$$

- ядро изотопа гелия 4 (альфа-частица), $${}_{15}^{30}P$$

- ядро изотопа фосфора 30, $${}_0^{1}n$$

- нейтрон.Where $${}_{13}^{27}Al$$

- core of the isotope of aluminum 27, $${}_2^{\mathrm{four}}He$$

- the nucleus of the helium isotope 4 (alpha particle), $${}_{\mathrm{fifteen}}^{\mathrm{thirty}}P$$

- core of the phosphorus isotope 30, $${}_0^{\mathrm{one}}n$$

- neutron.

The core of the phosphorus isotope 30 is unstable and prone to beta decay, resulting in the formation of a silicon isotope 30 and a positron [7, p. 341]:

$${}_{\mathrm{fifteen}}^{\mathrm{thirty}}P{\to }_{\mathrm{fourteen}}^{\mathrm{thirty}}Si{+}_{+\mathrm{one}}^{0}e{+}_0^0{\nu }_e,\left(2\right)$$

- ядро изотопа фосфора 30, $${}_{14}^{30}Si$$

- ядро изотопа кремния 30, $${}_{+1}^{0}e$$

- позитрон, $${}_0^0{\nu }_e$$

- электронное нейтрино, кроме того освобождается один электрон из электронной оболочки атома [8, с.89].Where $${}_{\mathrm{fifteen}}^{\mathrm{thirty}}P$$

- core of the phosphorus isotope 30, $${}_{\mathrm{fourteen}}^{\mathrm{thirty}}Si$$

- core of the isotope of silicon 30, $${}_{+\mathrm{one}}^{0}e$$

- positron, $${}_0^0{\nu }_e$$

- an electron neutrino, in addition, one electron is released from the electron shell of an atom [8, p. 89].

Beta decay is often accompanied by gamma radiation [8, p. 94], it accompanies beta decay in cases where part of the beta decay energy is spent on excitation of the product core. An excited nucleus after a short period of time (the average lifetime of gamma-active nuclei is usually on the order of 10 ^-7 -10 ^-11 s [8, p. 108]) is freed from excess energy by emitting one or more gamma-quanta, the energy of which can reach several MeV [8, pp. 105-106, 158].

Therefore, beta decay will also produce gamma rays. Moreover, radioactive atoms of the same kind emit beta particles of various energies, starting from zero and ending with some limiting value [8, p. 93], which can reach 2-2.5 MeV [8, p. 106].

In the process of emitting a gamma quantum, the energy of the excited nucleus is transferred not only to the gamma quantum, but also to the nucleus itself in the form of the kinetic energy of the translational motion of the latter or the recoil energy [8, p. 109]. Thus, the silicon core 30, resulting from the beta decay of phosphorus 30, in the case of gamma ray emission will gain speed. Let us estimate the speed acquired by the silicon core 30. Suppose that the atom was at rest before the emission of the gamma ray, then after the emission of the gamma ray, in accordance with the formula:

$${\mathrm{TO}}_{\mathrm{I\; am}d}=\frac{{\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="E\; \gamma "\; filenames="00000028.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">E\; </figure-callout>}}_{\gamma }^{}}{2M_{\mathrm{I\; am}d}{\mathrm{from}}^2}\left[\mathrm{8,}c.110\right]\left\{\mathrm{one}\right\}$$

(where K _poison is the kinetic energy of the nucleus, E _γ is the energy of the gamma quantum, M _poison is the mass of the nucleus, s is the speed of light),

silicon core speed 30 ядра _poison , will be calculated by the formula:

$${\vartheta }_{\mathrm{I\; am}d}=\frac{E_{\gamma }}{M_{\mathrm{I\; am}d}\mathrm{from}}\left\{2\right\}$$

In accordance with the formula {2}, when a gamma ray energy of 2.5 MeV is emitted, the speed acquired by the silicon core 30 can reach 2.5 · 10 ⁴ m / s.

и $${}_4^{9}Be$$

(то есть $${}_{13}^{27}Al$$

, $${}_{14}^{30}Si$$

кислорода и углерода), наиболее вероятным оказывается вылет из ядра нейтронов первоначальной энергии, т.е. осуществляется реакция упругого рассеяния нейтронов [8, с.222].As a result of reaction (1), in addition to phosphorus 30, a neutron is also formed, as shown above. When capturing slow neutrons by light nuclei (A≤50), i.e. nuclei of elements present in the working chamber, with the exception of $${}_5^{10}B$$

and $${}_{\mathrm{four}}^{9}Be$$

(i.e $${}_{13}^{27}Al$$

, $${}_{\mathrm{fourteen}}^{\mathrm{thirty}}Si$$

oxygen and carbon), the most probable is the departure from the neutron nucleus of the initial energy, i.e. elastic neutron scattering reaction is carried out [8, p.222].

At high energies of incident neutrons, inelastic scattering becomes possible, in which the final nucleus is obtained not in the ground but in one of the excited states [8, p.228], the neutron loses part of its energy, and the excited nucleus emits a gamma quantum upon transition to ground state. Thus, the interaction of neutrons with nuclei leads to the generation by these nuclei of gamma rays [8, p. 217, 222], corresponding to the quantum levels of these nuclei.

Therefore, fast neutrons resulting from reaction (1) in interaction with the nuclei of aluminum 27 supplied to the working chamber, silicon 30 obtained as a result of reaction (2), oxygen 14 and carbon 12, which are part of position 13, will transfer part of their energies of these nuclei, exciting them, and the nuclei, in turn, during the transition from the excited to the ground state will emit gamma rays.

Beryllium and its oxide are one of the most effective neutron moderators used in nuclear reactors, slowing fast neutrons to thermal energies [8, pp. 275-276, 280].

обратно пропорционально скорости нейтрона, поскольку при уменьшении кинетической энергии нейтрона будет уменьшаться его скорость, при уменьшении скорости нейтрона будет увеличиваться время его взаимодействия с ядром, а это увеличивает вероятность захвата нейтрона ядром [8, с.220].Effective cross section for neutron absorption by a nucleus $${}_5^{10}B$$

inversely proportional to the neutron speed, since with a decrease in the kinetic energy of the neutron its speed will decrease, with a decrease in the speed of the neutron will increase the time of its interaction with the nucleus, and this increases the probability of neutron capture by the nucleus [8, p. 220].

, входящего в состав позиции 13, будет возрастать вероятность захвата нейтронов ядрами $${}_5^{10}B$$

_, входящего в состав 13, с испусканием альфа-частицы [8, с.222-223, 227-228]:Therefore, when the neutron energy decreases after interaction with the nuclei of aluminum 27 supplied to the working chamber, silicon 30 obtained as a result of reaction (2), oxygen 14 and carbon 12, which are part of position 13, and especially with nuclei $${}_{\mathrm{four}}^{9}Be$$

of position 13, the probability of neutron capture by nuclei will increase $${}_5^{10}B$$

_, which is part of 13, with the emission of an alpha particle [8, p.222-223, 227-228]:

$${}_5^{10}B{+}_0^{\mathrm{one}}n{=}_3^{7}Li{+}_2^{\mathrm{four}}He,\left(3\right)$$

Moreover, the cross section for this reaction is approximately 10 ⁵ times greater than the cross section for radiation capture of a neutron. Such a high probability of alpha particle emission is due to the fact that neutron capture by the nucleus is accompanied by the release of energy, a significant part of which (1.77 MeV) is carried away by the alpha particle. Therefore, the Coulomb barrier does not provide an alpha particle with serious obstacles to escape from the nucleus [8, p.227-228].

The positron obtained as a result of reaction (2) annihilates with an electron in a short time (millionths of a second) [8, p. 103, 380], and if this is an electron in one of the electron shells of an atom, atom ionization will occur.

When annihilating a free electron and positron, only one gamma quantum cannot appear, since otherwise the simultaneous fulfillment of the laws of conservation of energy and momentum would be violated [8, p. 152, 379], while the energy of gamma rays would be equal to the annihilation energy.

Positrons passing through a substance experience annihilation losses due to two-photon annihilation with the electrons of the substance [8, p.157], therefore, as a result of the annihilation reaction of a positron with an electron, 2 gamma rays with an energy of at least ~ 0.51 MeV each will appear .

Part of the gamma rays generated as a result of the above processes will participate in the reaction:

$$\gamma {+}_{\mathrm{four}}^{9}Be=2_2^{\mathrm{four}}He{+}_0^{\mathrm{one}}n,\left(\mathrm{four}\right)$$

Moreover, for this reaction, the neutron liberation energy is small, and for the implementation of this reaction, the energy of gamma rays emitted by radioactive substances is sufficient [8, p. 230].

в соответствии с реакцией (1), образовавшийся в результате реакции (1) $${}_{15}^{30}P$$

, будет распадаться в соответствии с реакцией (2) и так далее вплоть до реакции (4). Таким образом, процессы, происходящие в рабочей камере двигателя будут иметь циклический характер, причем количество реакций (1-4) в каждом новом цикле будет возрастать, так как каждая альфа-частица, участвующая в реакции, (1) будет вызывать появление до трех новых альфа-частиц, в соответствии с реакциями (2) и (3).Alpha particles resulting from reactions (3) and (4) will interact with $${}_{13}^{27}Al$$

in accordance with reaction (1) resulting from reaction (1) $${}_{\mathrm{fifteen}}^{\mathrm{thirty}}P$$

will decompose in accordance with reaction (2) and so on up to reaction (4). Thus, the processes occurring in the working chamber of the engine will be cyclical in nature, and the number of reactions (1-4) in each new cycle will increase, since each alpha particle participating in the reaction (1) will cause up to three new alpha particles, in accordance with reactions (2) and (3).

Part of the alpha particles resulting from reactions (3) and (4), as well as from sources of alpha particles will interact with beryllium [8, p.227]:

. $${}_{\mathrm{four}}^{9}Be{+}_2^{\mathrm{four}}He{=}_6^{12}C{+}_0^{\mathrm{one}}\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="5"\; label="n\; +"\; filenames="00000028.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">n\; </figure-callout>}+\mathrm{5,6}M\mathrm{uh}\mathrm{AT}\left(5\right)$$

.

With neutrons arising as a result of reaction (4) and (5), the same thing will happen as with neutrons arising as a result of reaction (1), that is, fast neutrons will experience inelastic scattering when interacting with the nuclei of aluminum 27 supplied to the working chamber, silicon 30, resulting from reaction (2), oxygen 14 and carbon 12, which are part of position 13, will transfer part of their energy to these nuclei, exciting them, and the nuclei, in turn, upon transition from excited to ground state will emit gamma rays, slow These neutrons will experience elastic scattering when interacting with the same nuclei, and neutrons interacting with beryllium nuclei, regardless of their energy, can slow down to thermal energies, after which neutrons can be captured by boron, which is part of pos. 13, in accordance with the reaction (3).

Among other things, part of the neutrons formed as a result of reactions (1), (4) and (5) will leave the working chamber, giving the engine reactive acceleration. Moreover, the neutron velocities can reach ~ 3 · 10 ⁷ m / s [8, p.234-236].

Thus, gamma-rays of a wide range of energies will be formed in the working chamber of the engine as a result of the following processes:

- alpha decay occurring in sources of alpha particles (energy ≤0.5 MeV);

- beta decay of phosphorus 30 (energy ≤2.5 MeV);

- annihilation reactions (energy ≥0.51 MeV);

- interactions of neutrons with nuclei;

- as well as Coulomb excitation of nuclei in collisions with charged particles in nuclear reactions [8, p. 107].

Gamma rays will interact with substances present in the working chamber as follows.

Some gamma rays, mainly with energies of less than 0.1 MeV, will produce a photoelectric effect, since the photoelectric effect is the predominant absorption mechanism at low gamma radiation energies, and at high energies its role becomes negligible [8, p.151]. That is, one electron from the electron atomic shell will be ejected outside the atom, and thus the atom will be ionized.

Moreover, the probability of the photoelectric effect is higher for electrons that are more strongly bound to atoms [8, p. 151]. Therefore, the ejection of electrons will occur mainly from the lower levels (ie, close to the nucleus) in the event that the gamma-ray energy is higher than the ionization energy of the lower-level electron shell [8, p.150-151]. When electrons are pulled out from lower levels (that is, close to the nucleus), there will be a transition of electrons from overlying electron layers and shells to a place freed by an electron torn out as a result of the photoelectric effect, transitions of electrons to lower levels will be accompanied by x-ray radiation [8, p .107]. For example, when an electron is removed from the lower electronic level of an aluminum atom, up to 12 x-ray quanta can be extracted (in the case of the transition of 12 remaining electrons to lower levels), which can ionize another 12 aluminum atoms through the photoelectric effect.

A free electron cannot fundamentally absorb and emit a gamma ray, because otherwise it would violate the simultaneous fulfillment of the laws of conservation of energy and momentum [8, p.150], therefore gamma rays of low energies would be absorbed only by bound electrons and produce a photoelectric effect.

Electrons released as a result of the photoelectric effect will be accelerated by the electric field created by the accelerating system. And when interacting with the electrons of the shells of the atoms of the working fluid present in the working chamber, they will transfer part of their kinetic energy to them and thus ionize the atoms of the working fluid (ionization by electron impact).

With an increase in the energy of gamma rays up to several MeV, the Compton effect will play a significant role in the interaction of gamma rays with matter in the working chamber [8, p. 151, 154].

In the case of the Compton effect, gamma-quanta will be scattered (a change in the direction of motion) and a partial decrease in the energy of gamma-quanta due to the transfer of part of the energy to the Compton recoil electrons [8, p.152], while the recoil electrons can receive relativistic velocities [9, p .27, 31, 32] and accordingly leave the atom, thus the atom will be ionized. Moreover, recoil electrons, the velocity vector of which is parallel to the lines of the electric field of the working chamber or deviated by a small angle and directed in the direction opposite to the movement of positively charged particles in the working chamber, during their movement will receive additional acceleration from the electric field and develop even greater speeds.

, особенно, если гаммы кванты будут получены в результате столкновения электронов с частицами слоя, состоящего из смеси карбида бора и оксида бериллия, нанесенного на внутреннюю поверхность ионизационной камеры.In a collision with the walls of the chamber or particles located in the volume of the working chamber, they will experience sharp braking due to Coulomb interaction not only with electrons, but also with atomic nuclei, in which bremsstrahlung of electrons will occur, which can be accompanied by the appearance of powerful gamma flows quanta directed primarily forward [8, p. 155-157]. Gamma rays obtained as a result of bremsstrahlung of electrons will participate in all the processes described above, including in the reaction $$\gamma {+}_{\mathrm{four}}^{9}Be=2_2^{\mathrm{four}}He{+}_0^{\mathrm{one}}n,\left(\mathrm{four}\right)$$

especially if gamma quanta are obtained as a result of collision of electrons with particles of a layer consisting of a mixture of boron carbide and beryllium oxide deposited on the inner surface of the ionization chamber.

In addition, electrons moving at high speeds will interact with the electrons of the shells of the atoms of the working fluid present in the working chamber, will transfer part of their kinetic energy to them and thus ionize the atoms of the working fluid (electron impact ionization).

A gamma ray scattered by an electron as a result of the Compton effect can itself undergo Compton scattering, as a result of which one more recoil electron will receive kinetic energy, and thus ionize another atom, and so on, until this gamma quantum leaves the working chamber or until its energy decreases so much that it produces a photoelectric effect.

As mentioned above, the photoelectric effect prevails at low gamma-ray energies, at medium (several MeV) the Compton effect will prevail, and at high energies, pair production will play a dominant role in the interaction of gamma-quanta with matter [8, p. 154].

Part of gamma rays will be converted into pairs consisting of an electron and a positron. A gamma-quantum can turn into an electron-positron pair only when its energy is greater than the sum of the rest energies of the electron and positron (1.02 MeV), this is the pair production threshold [8, p.152-153].

The process of pair formation occurs only in the Coulomb field of a particle; pair production is also possible in the collision of two gamma quanta. However, it is most likely that pairs are produced by gamma rays in the Coulomb field of the nucleus. The nucleus receives the recoil momentum in accordance with the laws of conservation of energy and momentum, and the transfer of the recoil momentum to the nucleus occurs through its Coulomb field [8, p.153]. Thus, at the birth of electron – positron pairs, the momentum of the gamma ray is perceived by the nucleus [8, p. 153, 380].

. Отсюда скорость ядра после получения импульса отдачи будет определяться по формуле {2}:Let us estimate the speed of the aluminum core 27 acquired as a result of obtaining a recoil momentum during the production of an electron-positron pair in its Coulomb field. Suppose that the core was at rest until a gamma-ray pulse was received. Then, in accordance with the law of conservation of momentum $$P_{\gamma }=P_{\mathrm{I\; am}d}\left\{3\right\}$$

. Hence, the speed of the nucleus after receiving the recoil momentum will be determined by the formula {2}:

$${\vartheta }_{\mathrm{I\; am}d}=\frac{E_{\gamma }}{M_{\mathrm{I\; am}d}\mathrm{from}}\left\{2\right\}$$

and in the case of conversion into a pair of a gamma quantum with an energy of ~ 1.02 MeV will be of the order of 1.2 · 10 ⁴ m / s.

Thus, there will be an increase in kinetic energy and, accordingly, the velocity of the outflow of ions of the working fluid.

The positrons resulting from the production of pairs will pass through the substance and annihilate with electrons to form gamma rays, which will interact with the substance in the working chamber through the processes described above.

The electrons obtained as a result of the production of pairs will be accelerated by the electric field created by the accelerating system. And when interacting with the electrons of the shells of the atoms of the working fluid present in the working chamber, they will transfer part of their kinetic energy to them and thus ionize the atoms of the working fluid (ionization by electron impact).

Thus, the ionization of the atoms of the working fluid will occur in the working chamber of the engine:

- as a result of the photoelectric effect produced by gamma rays (mainly gamma rays with energy <0.1 MeV);

- as a result of the Compton effect produced by gamma rays (mainly gamma rays with an energy of ≥0.1 MeV);

- as a result of the photoelectric effect produced by x-ray quanta obtained by pulling electrons from the lower levels;

- as a result of annihilation of positrons with electrons of atomic shells;

- due to electron impacts from electrons that have received high speeds as a result of the Compton effect, or that have arisen as a result of the conversion of gamma rays into electron-positron pairs, or from electrons freed as a result of the photoelectric effect;

- due to the Coulomb interaction of alpha particles with atoms of the working fluid.

Due to these effects, the ionization of the atoms of the working fluid will proceed without external intervention, and electric energy will not be spent on the ionization of atoms of the working fluid.

Upon annihilation of electrons and positrons, gamma-quanta of a continuous energy spectrum from 0.51 and higher will appear due to the fact that the total velocities of electrons and positrons at the time of the meeting will also represent a wide range of values from 0 m / s to relativistic velocities. Thus, part of the gamma rays will have an energy equal to the energy of the transition of the aluminum atomic nucleus (or silicon nucleus) to a higher energy level plus the energy per message to the translational motion nucleus, which should be present during the absorption of gamma quanta by nuclei [8, p. .109]. These gamma rays will be absorbed by the nuclei of the working fluid. When absorbed, the energy of the gamma-ray goes not only to the excitation of the internal energy of the nucleus, but also to the message of translational motion to it [8, pp. 109-110].

After some time (10 ^-7 -10 ^-11 s [8, p.108]) the excited nucleus will emit a gamma quantum. Moreover, in the process of emitting a gamma quantum, the energy of the excited nucleus is transferred not only to the gamma quantum, but also to the nucleus itself in the form of the kinetic energy of the translational motion of the latter or the recoil energy [8, p. 109]. Thus, the nucleus receives kinetic energy through the absorption and emission of gamma rays

In accordance with the formulas {1-2}, it is also possible to estimate the velocity obtained by the nucleus upon absorption / emission of a gamma ray, which will be of the order of ~ 10 ⁴ m / s.

Thus, taking into account the foregoing, the acceleration of particles in the working chamber of the engine in addition to the acceleration of charged particles by an electric field will occur as a result of the following processes:

, значительная часть энергии, выделяемой при реакции, (1,77 МэВ) уносится альфа-частицей [8, с.227-228], тогда скорость альфа-частицы будет ~0,9 10⁷ м/с);- kinetic energy production by nuclear reaction products (particle velocity can reach about 10 ⁷ m / s, for example, in the case of reaction (3) $${}_5^{10}B{+}_0^{\mathrm{one}}n{=}_3^{7}Li{+}_2^{\mathrm{four}}He$$

, a significant part of the energy released during the reaction (1.77 MeV) is carried away by the alpha particle [8, p.227-228], then the speed of the alpha particle will be ~ 0.9 10 ⁷ m / s);

- receiving a recoil momentum by the product core during beta decay (particle velocity of the order of 10 ⁴ m / s);

- receiving a recoil momentum by the nucleus during the formation of an electron-positron pair in its field (particle velocity of the order of 10 ⁴ m / s);

- receiving a recoil momentum by the nucleus upon absorption / emission of a gamma-ray (particle velocity of the order of 10 ⁴ m / s);

- interactions of neutrons with nuclei.

In this case, the kinetic energy received by the particles of the working fluid as a result of these processes will be added to the kinetic energy transmitted to the ion by the electric field, as a result, the velocity of the particles of the working fluid will be higher than in the ion engine.

Thus, the proposed engine allows you to:

- reduce the cost of electricity for the ionization of the atoms of the working fluid to almost zero and thus significantly increase the efficiency;

- increase the flow rate of the working fluid without increasing the cost of electricity;

- apply a low-cost working fluid (aluminum);

- to simplify the storage procedure of the working fluid in comparison with existing remote controls;

- increase traction without increasing energy costs.

That is, the objective of the invention is achieved: reducing the cost of electricity for ionizing the atoms of the working fluid and, as a result, increasing the efficiency of the engine, as well as increasing the speed of the expiration of the working fluid while maintaining the cost of electricity for accelerating the ions of the working fluid and, accordingly, maintaining the power of the electric energy source, aboard the spacecraft.

List of references

1. Burdakov V.P., Danilov V.I. Physical problems of space traction energy. // M .: Atomizdat. 1969. S. 279-280.

2. Space engines: state and prospects. Edited by L. Cavney. // M .: World. 1988. S.184-185.

3. Levantovsky V.I. The mechanics of space flight in a simple way. 3rd ed., Supplemented and revised. - M .: Science. The main edition of the physical and mathematical literature. 1980. S. 43-44.

4. Gorshkov O. A., Muravlev V. A., Shagayda A. A. Kholovskie and ionic plasma engines for spacecraft. Under. ed. Academician of the RAS A. Koroteev - M.: Mechanical Engineering, 2008.280 s.

5. Grishin S.D., Leskov L.V. Electric rocket engines of spacecraft. - M.: Mechanical Engineering. 1989.216 p.

6. S. Neidish, L. Gallager, R. Greenfield, J. Raulitt. Experimental ion sources for engines. Digest of articles. Ion, plasma and arc rocket engines. - M .: State publishing house of literature in the field of atomic science and technology. 1961. S. 68.

7. A.T. Glazunov, O.F. Kabardin, A.N. Malinin, V.A. Orlov, A.A. Pinsky. Physics. Textbook for 11th grade schools and classes with in-depth study of physics. 2nd edition. - M .: Education. 1995.432 s.

8. Sivukhin D.V. Atomic and Nuclear Physics: A Textbook for High Schools. In 2 hours. Part 2. Nuclear physics (General course of physics; T.V). - M .: Science. Ch. ed. Phys.-mat. lit. 1989.416 p.

9. Sivukhin D.V. Atomic and Nuclear Physics: A Textbook for High Schools. In 2 hours. Part 1. Atomic physics (General course of physics; T.V). - M .: Science. Ch. ed. Phys.-mat. lit. 1986. 417 p.

Claims (1)

Ion propulsion system of spacecraft, including a source of a working fluid, a series-connected source of electrical energy and a converter of electrical energy, an ionization chamber, a magnetic system, a converter and an accelerating system, electrically connected to a converter of electrical energy, characterized in that the source of the working fluid is made in it in the form of a storage system and supply of aluminum isotope 27 in the solid phase, as well as in the propulsion system, a source of aluminum isotope vapor 27 is introduced which is connected with the output of the storage system and supply of the aluminum isotope 27 in the solid phase, and the output of the vapor source of the aluminum isotope 27 is in communication with the ionization chamber, a heat source, a heat exchanger for heating the vapor source of the aluminum isotope 27, connected in heat to the heat source, a source of aluminum isotope vapors 27, as well as a heat exchanger for heating the ionization chamber, connected in heat to a source of thermal energy, sources of alpha particles containing radioactive isotopes are also introduced, while Sources of the alpha particles embedded in the ionization chamber, the inner surface of which a layer of highly porous structure of the mixture of boron carbide and beryllium oxide, the source of aluminum vapor isotope ionization chamber 27 and heated to a temperature not lower than the boiling point of aluminum 27.

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