中国空间科学技术

中国空间科学技术 ›› 2020, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (6): 13-22.doi: 10.16708/j.cnki.1000-758X.2020.0067

• 研究探讨 • 上一篇    下一篇

地外人工光合成装置研制与试验

冯德强，张策，姜文君，李龙，杨东升，赖小明，宋坚，姚伟   

  1. 1.中国空间技术研究院钱学森空间技术实验室，北京100094
    2.北京卫星制造厂有限公司，北京100094
  • 出版日期:2020-12-25 发布日期:2020-11-25
  • 基金资助:
    国防科工局民用航天基金（YMYXX00155）；航天科技集团公司自主研发基金（YKCJT00013）；民用航天技术预先研究项目（B0108）

Design and trial of extraterrestrial artificial photosynthesis device

FENG Deqiang，ZHANG Ce，JIANG Wenjun，LI Long，YANG Dongsheng，LAI Xiaoming，SONG Jian，YAO Wei   

  1. 1.Qian Xuesen Laboratory of Space Technology， China Academy of Space Technology， Beijing100094， China
    2.Beijing Spacecraft Co.,Ltd.， China Academy of Space Technology， Beijing100094， China
  • Published:2020-12-25 Online:2020-11-25

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摘要： 原位资源利用技术是地外生命保障体系构建、实现人类地外生存的有效途径，是载人深空探索的核心技术。基于微通道技术的人工光合成反应器，采用流动反应器设计，用于低微重力等特殊环境条件下模拟人工光合作用，实现CO２向O２和含碳燃料的转化。微通道芯片通过气液剪切作用力使气体反应产物快速脱离电极表面并随反应介质排出反应器，理论上可以克服微重力条件对反应过程的影响，尚需进行微重力试验进行验证。同时，微通道结构可以通过精确控制反应气液的压力、流速、流量比等反应条件，获得优化的反应条件。通过地面试验，验证了该反应器将CO２还原为O２和含碳化合物的功能可行性。以Au和Ir/C作为阴极和阳极材料，3V电压条件下，O２产率可达11.74mL/h。此外，基于人工光合成反应器搭建了集反应模块、控制模块、流路驱动模块以及检测模块等于一体的地外人工光合成装置，形成原位反应、介质供给、精确控制、在线收集和检测等功能一体化的系统，并实现CO２有效转换和O２供给。为后续技术成熟度更高的反应装置研制、高产物选择性的含碳化合物转化以及人工光合成反应装置在轨试验奠定了理论和实践基础。

关键词: 地外生存, 原位资源利用, 人工光合成装置, 二氧化碳还原, 光电催化

Abstract: In-situ resource utilization (ISRU) technology is a promising process for recycling extraterrestrial resources and constructing life support system to realize survival in extraterrestrial environment. ISRU has been the core technology in human deep space exploration. Based on the microchannel technique, a flow reactor was designed to simulate artificial photosynthesis in microgravity and other special environmental conditions as well as to realize the conversion of carbon dioxide to oxygen and hydrocarbons. The microchannel based reactor can accelerate the products of the gas-liquid reaction from the electrode surface with the reaction medium by the sheer force. Theoretically, it can overcome the influence of microgravity conditions on the reaction process, which needs to be verified by microgravity experiments in future. Simultaneously, the optimized reaction conditions can be obtained in the microchannel structure by precisely controlling the pressure, flow rate and ratio of input gas to liquid. Based on the artificial photosynthesis reactor, an extraterrestrial artificial photosynthesis device was developed, which integrated the reaction module, control module, flow drive module and detection module. The feasibility of the reactor in reducing carbon dioxide to oxygen and carbonaceous compound (CO) was verified by ground experiment. With Au and Ir/C as the catalytic cathode and anode electrode respectively, the evaluation rate of O２ can reach 11.74 mL/h under 3 V applied voltage. This device possesses multifunction of in-situ physicochemical reaction, medium supply, precise control, products collection and analysis. And this device can implement effective conversion of carbon dioxide and oxygen generation. The work provides a theoretical and practical foundation for subsequent device optimization, carbon dioxide conversion to variable hydrocarbon products with high selectivity, and on-orbit test of artificial photosynthesis device.

Key words: survival in extraterrestrial environment, insitu resource utilization, artificial photosynthesis device, carbon dioxide reduction, photoelectrocatalysis