High-Level Project Summary
Due to the harsh environment of Venus, it is difficult to use traditional energy storage systems,so we proposed an energy storage system based on modifications to a certain type of batteryand the use of energy sources suitable for Venus, which depend on high temperatures, asVenus is characterized by high temperatures approximately 450 degrees Celsius. Our projectrelies mainly on thermoelectric generators (which converts heat into electricity) and batteriesto store the energy produced, but it is heavily dependent on their efficiency level at theenvironmental conditions in Venus, so we proposed some types of batteries that would operateat the high temperature.
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Detailed Project Description
The Venus planetary surface is inhospitable for life as we know it due to its extreme
environmental temperatures that average 450 degrees celsius , atmospheric pressure that
averages 95 bars or 95 times the atmospheric pressure at Earth’s surface and thick atmosphere,
which is why it is so difficult to explore its surface and collect data without suffering severe
damage due to exposure to the atmosphere and its extreme temperatures. Fortunately, these
extreme conditions also provide many opportunities for the development of new and unique
technologies that may be useful in the future exploration of the surface of Venus.
We suggest two ways to make the energy storage system:
1) Using non-rechargeable batteries and it won’t need to energy source, as we’ll send it
charged with the rover. This battery will be LiCoS2 thermal battery and for more safety
we can cover it with a layer of titanium
2) Using rechargeable batteries and they will be Lithium-sulfur batteries and we will use
peltier modules as a source of energy
Heat Transfer in Peltier-effect
the combination of several junctions of two different semiconductors connected in series is
known as the Thermoelectric (TE) module. The two semiconductors are of n and p type
semiconductors material as shown in figure 1. These two dissimilar conductors lead to Peltier
effect at the junction. When we pass the electricity through junctions of n and p
semiconductors material, the heat pumps up and flows from one side to the other. As shown in
figure 1, QH denotes the heat released from the heat node and QL denotes the heat absorbed
by the cold node. In a Peltier device, voltage is created when there is a difference in
temperature on these two opposite plates. Conversely, there is a difference in temperature on
each plate, when the voltage is applied. The beautiful part of the Peltier module is that it can
flip the temperature characteristics when the polarities get reversed. In simple words suppose
Terminal A is used for heating the battery packet/ cell then the same terminal can be used to
cool the surface of the particular battery packet/cell by reversing the polarity of voltage.
Design of the system
the above figure is a design for the second case (using rechargeable batteries and they will be
Lithium-sulfur batteries and we will use peltier modules as a source of energy).
At this system we will use heat sinks made of titanium facing the hot side of the peltier module
to To reduce the amount of heat that reaches the peltier module and we will use titanium
because it can Withstand pressure and high temperature. The temperature of the other side of
the peltier module(the cold side) will be less than the hot side because it is well insulated by using
silica gel or by Air discharging, so there will be a temperature difference between the two sides
of the peltier module, which will allow the formation of an electric current. We will connect the
peltier modules in series until they give us a large amount of energy enough to charge the battery.
Space Agency Data
We looked at sources from NASA for some information, including types of rechargeable batteries, and I found that the best for Venus conditions is a lithium-sulfur battery.
https://techport.nasa.gov/view/92914
We also looked at the power consumption of the rover
Hackathon Journey
Participating in the NASA space apps competition is a very interesting and unique experience, and because of it, we have gained many new skills and information, especially in the field of space and energy. energy on the surface of Venus for at least 60 days.
The main reason we chose this challenge over others is that we, as a team, have a passion for research in the field of space, energy, operating systems and energy storage in space.
References
1) https://www.britannica.com/place/Venus-planet
2) https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/pdf/10.2514/1.41886
3) https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/vexag2020/pdf/8052.pdf#:~:text=In order to enable
extended surface missions on Venus and
4) https://www.irjet.net/archives/V8/i6/IRJET-V8I6738.pdf#:~:text= These systems have no
mechanical parts or moving parts
Tags
#energy #energy_storage_system #batteries #thermal_batteries #Lithium_batteries #thermoelectricgenerator #venus #venus_exploration