High-altitude long-duration latex balloon venting valves

Abstract

With the demand of near-space exploration, it is required to continually improve the flat drifting capability of high-altitude latex balloons. To extend the flat drift time of latex balloons at a high altitude, it is necessary to design a gas release device to control the volume of gas discharged from the balloon. However, there are few such studies, especially on the type of high-altitude latex balloon exhaust valve and the control of release gas flow rate by balloon height. In this study, based on the high-altitude atmospheric data in Hunan Province, China, the release process of gas in high-altitude balloons in the fluid turbulence mode was determined using Reynolds method. The dynamic characteristics of two types of release valves, ball valve and butterfly valve, during the opening and closing and the steady-state flow characteristics of butterfly valve under a certain valve opening were simulated using gas motion equations and slip grid technology. By comparing the flow rate of these two types of valves at the same time, the adjustable time range under the same flow rate, as well as the ascending and drifting trajectory of the latex balloon, it was determined that the performance of butterfly valve is more suitable for the high-altitude latex balloon gas release system. Finally, the butterfly valve was applied to the high-altitude balloon gas release system, and a solution was designed for day and night flat drift balloons, which provide a reference for the design of high-altitude long-duration latex balloons.