Performance evaluation of a moonbase energy system using in-situ resources to enhance working time

The solar energy resources of the Moon are far more prosperous than those of the Earth. Therefore, energy systems driven by solar energy are more suitable for application on the Moon. Ensuring the safe operation of the energy system under solar energy (or other variable-temperature heat sources) has become a focal point issue that constrains the construction of the moonbase. In this paper, based on the closed Brayton cycle-organic Rankine cycle (CBC-ORC) system and considering the dryness of the outlet of the evaporator of ORC, a scheme is proposed to raise the temperature of the heat source by using a heat storage heat exchanger (HSHEX). Thus increase the dryness of the organic working fluid side of the evaporator. With the introduction of HSHEX, ORC can work for up to 13.3 days at a mass flow rate of 0.6 kg/s, nearly one time more than the case without HSHEX. The maximum total system thermal efficiency can reach 28.74 %. By stopping the CBC and adjusting the ORC mass flow rate, the average power generation gets 5.69 kW, doubling the working time during the lunar nighttime. This paper aims to solve the problem of improving the working time of the moonbase energy system and provide theoretical guidance for constructing the future lunar base energy system.