The Possibility of Converting Energy in Space with the Aid of a Chain Heat Machine Operating on Methane and Nitrogen

Abstract

An analysis has been made of the useful mechanical work done in space with the aid of a heat machine, in which the working body consists of liquids with a superlow boiling temperature (methane and nitrogen). The use of nitrogen and methane is facilitated by the low temperature of the cosmic background radiation making it possible to cool nitrogen and methane to very low temperatures. The investigation is carried out on the basis of modeling the chain heat machine consisting of two units. The setting of the stationary regime of machine operation takes several hours. The scattering of energy into the outer space requires a condenser of large area.