ES2294902A1 - MACHINE, AND METHOD OF USE, TO PLAY IN A CONTROLLED WAY THE CONDITIONS OF PRESSURE, TEMPERATURE AND IRRADIATION OF SURFACE ENVIRONMENTS OR PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES. - Google Patents

Abstract

Machine, and method of use, to reproduce in a controlled way the conditions of pressure, temperature and irradiation of surface environments or planetary atmospheres. A machine or closed environment is presented, inside which, selected environmental conditions can be reproduced (partial pressure of each gaseous component and temperature) very well controlled and verifiable and where a certain sample under study can also be irradiated. This installation can reproduce the various chemical and/or biochemical reactions that take place on the Earth's surface, in outer space, in the atmospheres of the different planets of the Solar System or in other environmental environments, whether real or imagined. The current interest in the deep knowledge and conservation of our gaseous environment is the object of this invention. The expected application sectors are: aeronautics, astronautics, geology, the environment, materials science and catalysis.

Description

Machine, and method of use, for reproduce pressure conditions in a controlled manner, temperature and irradiation of surface environments or atmospheres planetary

Invention Sector

This invention concerns, in a first aspect, to a machine, inside which conditions reproduce chosen environmental factors (partial pressure of each gaseous component and temperature) very well controlled and verifiable, where to radiate a certain sample under study and so repeat in a laboratory the various chemical and / or biochemical reactions that take place in outer space, in the atmospheres of different planets of the Solar System or in other environments either real or fictitious. This invention aims, for its versatility conceptual and, above all, for being constituted by technologies and current equipment, simulate very different environments; so much could be, that of planet Earth like some other of a composition radically different atmospheric chemistry and also finally the conditions existing in the interplanetary environment. The Planned sectors of this invention are: aeronautical, geological, astrobiological, environmental and materials science. Likewise, this patent also has direct application as installation of measurement and control in laboratories or companies of manufacture of catalysts with implications environmental.

State of the art

The interest of our Society for the conservation and protection of the gas layer that surrounds our Fortunately, the planet has been a reality for many years. Recently, the United Nations has expressed this interest in the Kyoto Protocol which is the first global approach to put a limit on the emission of the gases responsible for climate change, gases that are produced by activities industrial and human (anthropogenic). Following this current of opinion, the most important companies in the industrial sector linked to the production of electrical energy and, above all, to fuel manufacturing companies used in transportation of surface and aviation, projects have begun research covering a very extensive agenda which goes from the work to try to find catalysts with which eliminate, reduce or at least not increase production uncontrolled pollutant gases and so-called "greenhouse effect", as to studies of reactions between compounds in the gas phase (atmospheric chemistry). It should be cited at this point the work that has been done to eliminate of the final products of combustion, the sulfuric ion, responsible for the so-called "acid rain".

The works of scientists are also cited here and researchers that with the aim of expanding knowledge basic have fixed their attention on the atmospheres of bodies planetariums, (Mars, mainly for its present time, Europe, and Triton, satellites of Jupiter and Neptune, respectively). Be it refers specifically to the fruitful, and interesting, field of planetology where all our current knowledge is due so only to the data collected during the probes approximations no manned to Mars as: Mariner, Viking, Mars pathfinder, and al outdoor solar system like: Voyager and Galileo. The contribution to fundamental knowledge extracted from these projects is truly huge and spectacular, although, in this case, the data collection through automatic devices only allows researchers have a passive or overall view of the atmosphere in question since it is not possible for them to perform experiments properly programmed by them. For this reason, in the present moment, a change is imposed towards a less strategy passive and, therefore, recently, various official agencies (the NASA "National Aeronautic Space Administration" and ESA "European Space Agency"), have begun to develop projects of research in which the employment of chambers or controlled enclosures in which to simulate atmospheres or environments to experiment in atmospheric chemistry and biochemistry, as well as testing new materials subject to conditions  extreme pressure and temperature.

Despite everything that has been said, no they exist, as of today, in databases or libraries, patents that describe cameras or enclosures where simulate environments,  planetariums All the more, some universities and centers research officers have launched projects with simple simulation cameras that are usually designed, and realized, for a very specific planetary environment. Almost all are conceived, in general, for the study or treatment of very specific and partial aspects of atmospheric chemistry under conditions of limited pressure and temperature. Just the ANDROMEDA project of the University of Arkansas (USA) in which it is beginning to do some Astrobiology experiments simulating the Martian atmosphere.

This invention patent is presented with the two objectives described above, a) experimentation in the chemical reactions laboratory at the surface interface solid-gas under pressure conditions, temperature and irradiation similar to those found in a planetary body or in space, and b) study or recreation of composition, pressure and temperature conditions and irradiation in that are the current planetary atmospheres.

Description of the invention Short description

The planetary atmosphere simulation machine presented has been designed to allow operators in a flexible and versatile way: (a) reproduce the pressure and temperature conditions of planetary atmospheres, (b) submit the sample under study to different types of irradiation, and (c) characterize by means of Infrared (IR) and Ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy the different chemical changes that arise as a result of the atmosphere, irradiation and temperature. It presents certain characteristics sought taking into account the scientific objectives (catalytic reactions, biological observations) and atmospheres that are to be simulated. As a fundamental contribution, it has a sample holder that can house a simple biological culture (bacteria) or a solid sample such as a zeolite. The pressure range achieved in the chamber covers values between 10 - 9 mbar (simulation of planetary atmospheres) at 1 atmosphere (terrestrial environmental chemistry). This extensive pressure range, is 12 orders of magnitude, is achieved by making small changes, provided for in the design that will be described below (joint joints and observation windows), maintaining the general layout of the machine. The atmospheric composition desired by the experimenter is produced by the mixture of gases chosen in each particular experiment: The temperature in the sample is chosen, a priori , for each reaction in treatment and can be set in the range between 4-325 K. For the study in conditions as real as possible, various radiation sources have been incorporated into the installation, including UV, electrons and ions (of noble gases). For proper control of half-environmental constants are available mass spectrometer, a silicon diode and pressure gauges, as well as for the measurement of parameters defined in the chemical analysis will techniques in situ infrared spectroscopy (IR ) and of Ultraviolet (UV) or any other that the measurement technology can provide us in the future.

Thus, the machine is controlled by the experimenter, at all times, in a precise and computerized manner, both in the partial pressures of each component gas of the atmosphere under study, as well as the temperature of the sample being studied. In addition, it will allow to flexibly irradiate the sample under study with ultraviolet radiation or an ion or electron beam, up to 5 KeV, as well as perform in-situ analysis, in order to follow the chemical and structural changes produced on the sample under study in these conditions.

Stated schematically, the specifications techniques that make this machine a unique tool in the market, are the following:

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The partial pressure of each gas in the atmosphere can be controlled by independently from 1000 to 5x10 -9 mbar, that is, in 12 orders of magnitude.

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The temperature can range between 4 and 325 K.

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The Gaseous composition is monitored by a gas analyzer residual that allows an approximate accuracy of ppm (parts per million).

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Have a removable sample holder at will that supports samples from 5 at 35 millimeters in diameter and 10 millimeters thick. In case of powder sample, the grain size should be greater than 3 \ mum.

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A Once the sample is in the pressure and temperature conditions Presets can be irradiated with different sources. As an example, has designed sources of ions and electrons up to E KV, ultraviolet radiation from Deuterium lamp (200-400 nanometers) and ions (wavelength fixed- \ approx20 nanometers) of different noble gases.

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The sample is characterized and controlled, in situ , by IR and UV spectroscopy.

Well understood that in the experiments performed under conditions called "terrestrial" (`` high '' atmospheric pressure, `` high '' temperature) will only be possible use the ultraviolet radiation source using a lamp deuterium, rendering others useless.

Through this installation you can take conduct experiments in various fields of chemistry, geology and of Biology, as they are:

1) Low atmospheric composition changes controlled conditions.

2) Crystal phase changes and resistance of Materials and minerals

3) Growth or decrease of colonies Bacterial radiation and / or environmental conditions  diverse.

Detailed description

The prototype machine presented in this invention is composed of the following elements or parts differentiated:

to)

Vacuum chamber for realization of processes (atmospheric or main chamber). (Fig. 1)

b)

Generation system, low pressure (empty), depending on the application and measurement of this parameter.

C)

Sample introduction unit (manipulator or transfer) and cryostat.

d)

Discharge sources, for irradiation of samples (Fig. 1, II (g))

and)

Source of deuterium (Fig. 1, II (a))

F)

Gas analysis system, Y

g)

Gas inlet system (Fig. 1, II (d))

a) Vacuum chamber for process or chamber realization principal

It is made of stainless steel, totally clean and degassed, to reach a pressure <5x10 <- 9} millibars It has in its outline the corresponding shirts heaters for prior degassing of the interior enclosure. The dimensions are: 50 centimeters long and 40 centimeters long diameter (Fig. 1, I-II).

b) Vacuum generation system, according to application and measurement of this parameter

In order to achieve the required ultra-high vacuum conditions ( <10-8 millibar ) and considering the volume of the chamber, it is necessary to use a turbomolecular-drag pumping group of high pumping capacity.

The empty low pressure generation system It consists of:

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Bomb turbo-molecular, with a pumping capacity of 920 l / s

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Pump control unit turbo-molecular, with the possibility of regulating the turning speed.

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Double stage rotary pump, with a pumping capacity of 35 m 3 / h.

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Guillotine valve motorized, with conductance regulation, which allows throttling the valve to work at 10-2 mbar.

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The vacuum measurement in the camera is made with a combined sensor Pirani-Penning, with measuring range from 1000-5x10 -9 mbar.

According to the objectives pointed in lines precedents, certain difficulties have had to be overcome techniques The most important obstacle is to get an installation able to operate, with the necessary minimum changes, at pressures variables in a range of 12 orders of magnitude, allowing the study of the atmosphere of satellites that hardly possess it (Europe), that of planets with low density atmosphere (Mars) and get to the land case.

Some flanges have been left empty (without instrumentation, blind) for future developments. The method for simulate a particular atmosphere is the following: gases desired mix in a steel tube (manifold) until the proportion required, controlled by individual flow meters For each gas. The gaseous composition (partial gas pressure) is constantly monitored by an analyzer spectrometer waste gas, which sets the desired partial pressure of each gas using the corresponding flowmeter. The temperature of the Sample is regulated with a helium cooling system liquid that is connected to the holder of the sample holder. Different irradiation sources can be used at typical pressures in the Mars range (range of a few mbar) for this it is necessary use a differential pumping system (Fig. 1, III), the which ensures the correct operating conditions of the irradiation source Water vapor partial pressure can Be calibrated and regulated. This small partial vapor pressure of water could be important for most processes Biological The partial pressure of each of the gases in the experimental system can be independently controlled and modified in a range of 9 orders of magnitude, range from 8 millibar up to 5x10-9 millibar. Therefore, the percentage of each gas in the simulated atmosphere is continuously monitored to follow possible condensation or desorption processes. For reach high pressure conditions a motorized valve by steps, control the pump opening turbo-molecular of the main bell.

c) Sample introduction unit (manipulator or shuttle) and cryostat. (Fig. 1, II (g))

Three parts are considered well in this section differentiated: liquid helium cryostat, manipulator and sample holder with temperature sensor.

The liquid helium cryostat allows us cool the sample holder to reach the temperatures of the different environments to simulate, from 325K to 4K The step of introduction or transfer of liquid helium from the Dewar to the sample manipulator, is done through a bar transfer that is thermally insulated to reduce maximum evaporation of Helium. Inside the cryostat a 50 Ohm resistor, which through the controller temperature allows us to reach the programmed temperature. For the temperature measurement in the liquid helium circuit, there is a silicon diode, which is taken as a reference to perform the necessary adjustments to reach the required temperature in the sample holder.

Under pressure conditions of 0.01 millibar there are conduction phenomena and thermal radiation. For cushion these effects is placed in the vicinity of the sample holder a radiation shield shield).

The sample manipulator or bar transfer (Fig. 1, II (h)) has two DN flanges adapted 40 CF, on a support piece, and in the intermediate position coupled a flexible tube. Compressing / expanding this flexible tube causes the sample holder to move in the inside the chamber a distance of 150 millimeters in the direction horizontal. This allows us to place the sample to be irradiated in the axis of the deuterium source or in the orifice of the sources Download

The sample holder, built in copper with special treatment to guarantee maximum conduction thermal, a silicon diode is attached to measure the temperature. This sample holder is prepared with a special thread to ensure the best possible contact with the crucible, and thus avoid temperature gradients. They have prepared three kinds of crucibles that allow working with different types of samples (crucible 1 with 38 mm diameter and 4 mm depth, crucible 2 with 8 millimeters in diameter and 2 millimeters deep, crucible 3 dimensions similar to crucible 1 but with a hole in the center that allows measurements to be made in transmittance).

d) Discharge sources, for irradiation of samples (Fig. 1, II (b))

The source of ultraviolet discharge and the cannons of ions and electrons require a pressure <5x10 - 6 millibar to work. In the case of pressures equal to 0.01 millibar, it has been necessary to prepare a system with double differential pumping that allows to reach, in the chamber where adapt these sources, pressures between 5x10 -6 -10 -8 millibar. An outline of the Differential pumping chamber is shown in Figure 2.

In the first chamber (Fig. 2 (a)), the differential pumping is done with the pump turbo-molecular 2, with a pumping capacity of 60 liters / second and a 2 stage double rotary pump, with a suction capacity of 2.5 m 3 / hour.

In the second chamber (Fig. 2 (b)), where adapt the discharge sources, it becomes empty with another pump turbo-molecular 3, with a pumping capacity of 210 liters / second and a 3 stage double rotary pump, with a capacity of 5 m 3 / h. The vacuum measurement is performed with a Combined Pirani / Penning sensor.

The differential vacuum between this second chamber and the previous one is achieved through a 2 mm hole, which can be interchangeable for another of greater (4 mm.) or smaller diameter (0.5 mm.).

The download sources attached to the camera Differential pumping (or irradiation) are as follows: electrons, ion cannon and ultraviolet discharge source.

One of the technical challenges solved in this invention is the use of irradiation sources in simulation of atmospheres at high pressures. In order to use sources of irradiation that require the ignition of a filament to irradiate, the pressure should be of the order of 10-6 millibar. For planets with a total pressure of the order of 10 -2 millibar, as Triton, in principle it is impossible to study the changes in the surface due to irradiation using this type of instrumentation. In principle, at this pressure neither the cannon of electrons or ion could be ignited. This problem has been solved in this work system by designing a differential pumping system in two stages. First the camera Atmospheric (or main bell) is separated from the compartment where the irradiation sources are located through an orifice of 2 mm diameter outlet. The design of the pumping system is shown in figure 2. Between the source compartment and the atmospheric chamber (main bell) there is a second stage pumping, where the variable opening of the hole controls the partial pressure in the irradiation compartment. The smaller be the diameter of the inlet hole, the better the pressure in the irradiation chamber, making possible the study of the phenomenon irradiation on planets with high pressure (in the main chamber or atmospheric). In addition, small diameter holes too reduce (minimize) the irradiated area. The entrance hole can be changed by unscrewing a small copper disk from the flange of the irradiation source compartment. It has been used disks with 3 different diameters for example: 0.5, 2 and 4 millimeters It has been estimated, and experimentally confirmed, that a pressure of 10-2 millibar in the atmospheric chamber, using a 2 mm inlet hole. a total pressure of 10-6 millibar in the source compartment. It has been estimated that the highest pressure (in main chamber) that allows irradiate is approximately 1 millibar. The sources of irradiation are designed to obtain the focal length in the inlet opening (opening), in this way most of the radiation can pass through the dual output configuration (with two holes). To irradiate the sample by any of these techniques, the sample is moved (moved) by a linear translation, placing it in the exit hole. A limitation is that the irradiated area is somewhat larger than 2 mm. from hole diameter To radiate planets with total pressures less than 10-6 millibar, it is not necessary to use the disk of copper in the entrance hole, and therefore the copper disk It can be unscrewed and removed to gain efficiency.

e) Source of Deuterium (ultraviolet radiation)

The upper flange of the T-piece has been adapted the source of deuterium, so that vertically the beam comes out of ultraviolet light in the direction of the sample. To concentrate the light beam, at the exit of the lamp a lens is placed convergent. This ensures that the light beam will arrive concentrated in an approximate diameter of about 25 millimeters.

In the center of the T-piece, there is a beam splitter Its function is to reflect part of the light at an angle  of 90º and allow transmitting the greatest possible intensity to the sample. To measure the intensity of the reflected light, a spectrum-radiometer on the flange placed perpendicular to the source of emission. Figure 3 shows the system configuration using UV irradiation, both for measures in reflectance as in the case of transmittance.

f) Gas analysis system

The gas analysis system by Quadrupole mass spectrometry is composed of: masses, analysis chamber, pumping group turbo-molecular, vacuum meter and valve isolation between process chamber and analysis chamber. He analysis system will adapt to the flange (e) of figure 1, II.

The analysis system will perform the following functions:

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Gas monitoring of process.

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Waste Gas Analysis in main chamber.

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Verification and detection of leaks

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Sample Determination Sodas produced during the discharge process.

Because in the analysis system requires work at pressures <10-4 milibar, required a valve that has the following special adaptations:

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Bypass-1 with minimum conductance hole to work in conditions of pressure 7 mbar

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Bypass-2 with medium conductance hole to work in conditions of pressure of 0.01 mbar. In the two previous situations, the valve of guillotine or insulation will be in closed position.

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The valve will be open (with closed bypasses) when there are pressure atmospheres 10 - 8 millibar and you want to see the composition of gases residuals in the main chamber or make detection of leaks

h) Gas inlet system

The sample preparation system for gas inlet in process chamber, it is composed:

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Manifold-1 of mixture of gases and water vapor.

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Manifold-2 of gas mixture

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Regulating valve gas inlet to process chamber.

In manifold-1 the Gas and water vapor. There is the entrance of the gas mixture to via lateral line connected to the mixing bottle with a metering valve in intermediate position. On the other side The mass flow meter for water vapor is placed. The gases and water vapor will be mixed in the vaporizer placed in the vertical line and they will go directly to the second manifold and, later, to the regulating valve.

In manifold-2 used only For the gas mixture, there are valves that separate the Inlet line of the gas mixture bottles. To isolate the First and second manifold there is a ball valve. This second Manifold connects directly to the regulating valve.

The gas inlet control unit in main camera consists of:

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Electronic unit of measure vacuum and flow regulation control.

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Gas metering valve With automatic flow regulation.

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Vacuum meter, adapted in main chamber, which gives us the pressure value signal required in process chamber.

To get the technical characteristics of This team has had to solve several problems Technological First, the bell has been designed using ultra-high vacuum closures, allowing power study planetary bodies with very low pressures like Europe. Secondly, and to be able to radiate in conditions such as those of Triton with radiations of electrons and ions, a differential pumping system in several stages, so that the total pressure in the area where the filament of the source of electrons or ions is of the order of 10-6 mbar. This is achieved through the use of a hole, where the radiation and that acts as a `` neck '' for the diffusion of gases from the main chamber to the area where the sources of irradiation.

Stable pressures under Martian conditions are they get through a stepper motor that closes so controlled a guillotine valve on a pump CF-500 The closing of the valve makes it possible to regulate Total pressure accurately.

The gases of the atmosphere that you want reproduce are mixed and controlled by controllers independent flow. The temperature is regulated by a cryostat of He, specially adapted to be able to locate different types of samples (minerals, mono-crystals, etc.).

There are other facilities in the world of environmental chambers, most designed solely to simulate the planet Mars, but in them there is no precise control over the individual partial pressures of each gas, nor over temperature, nor do they achieve stable operating conditions, and above all they do not allow to radiate and analyze
on-site

Description of the figures

Figure 1.- Scheme of the vacuum chamber or principal:

I) Design of the vacuum or main chamber. He designed prototype can be described as a cylinder whose dimensions are: 500 mm. of length and 400 mm. diameter

II) Vacuum chamber or main in detail:

(to)

deuterium UV lamp

(b)

irradiation sources (UV, electrons, ions)

(C)

double differential pumping

(d)

gas inlet

(and)

quadrupole in RF

(F)

output transmittance spectrum of the deuterium UV lamp

(g)

sample holder with system He liquid cooling

(h)

Z transfer bar

(i)

infrared output

III) Side section of the pumping chamber differential (or irradiation) where the sources of discharge.

(j)

second stage pumping differential

(k)

atmospheric chamber:

1 mbar <P <5e-9 mbar

4th K <T < 325ºK

Figure 2.- Plane of the lateral section of the differential pumping chamber (or irradiation) where the discharge sources (dimensions in millimeters).

(to)

first camera and (b) second camera

Figure 3.- Scheme of UV measurements in reflectance and transmittance mode settings.

Figure 4.- Graphs of the simulation of the Mars conditions: a) Introduction of gases, and, b) cooling of the sample to 150ºK.

Figure 5.- Graphs of the simulation of the Europe conditions: a) the sample is cooled to 50ºK, and, b) introduction of gases.

Figure 6.- Graph of the simulation of the Triton atmosphere conditions.

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Examples of applications of this invention

This invention is applicable in all those technical and scientific disciplines that require assembly or practical accessory where to carry out precise control of determined, or chosen, atmospheric conditions and that there, inside that camera, you can check or monitor various chemical or biological processes While the initial motivation in the machine approach that constitutes this invention was related, in principle, to the study of the surface of planetary atmospheres, subsequently, have also been found applications of interest in other fields, citing, by example, in that of biology (study of the resistance of extremophilic bacteria), in the resistance of materials in certain atmospheres and subjected to irradiation and in processes of Earth's atmospheric chemistry related to the protection of Earth's environment

Schematically, the steps to follow to reproduce a certain atmosphere in the main chamber are the  following: after closing and pumping the main chamber of the machine is introduced through the valve located in the manifold 2, the chosen quantities of gases, then cooled these up to the temperature of liquid helium. Reached temperature through a heating resistor, located in the sample holder, the electrical control system stabilizes the temperature to the desired value. This system of feedback also allows cycles to be programmed temperature such as "night and day" or seasonal changes.

The samples are placed horizontally in the well (bucket), so that it is possible to study low cohesive materials Crystals, sands, resins, rocks and minerals are among the possible samples that can be introduced into the system. Sample temperature can be controlled from 4 to 325 K by two photodiodes (diode silicon) placed on one side of the sample holder in contact with the solid sample.

Next we will describe possible examples of applications of this invention. Is about reproduce the environmental conditions of various environments planetariums for the purpose of a practical application. The topics selected by way of example they have a wide range of atmospheric and temperature pressures as well as situations of irradiation (dose and irradiating element) different.

Example 1 Atmospheric chemistry. Earth's mesosphere and chemosphere

One of the applications of this machine is the study of chemical reactions that take place in the upper layers of the Earth's atmosphere, these reactions may be due both natural phenomena and reactions in which they are seen involved pollutants that are poured into the atmosphere. The study allows the monitoring of possible chemical products of reaction as a result of the effects of radiation.

Related to the study of the different layers of the atmosphere, the simulation of the Mesosphere, since its study has been hampered by the fact that is too high for probe balloons but too low for artificial satellites (rockets are used) therefore simulations of this atmospheric layer (200 K and 80 km high) they can bring new information to phenomena that take place in these conditions. It would also be interesting to simulate the atmospheric layers called chemosphere and ionosphere is a region low density where high energy radiation is absorbed, from far UV, these radiations give rise to chemical reactions different, such as photodissociation and ionization reactions plausible study.

To perform work on these issues, it is pumped the main chamber following the experimental protocol described on previous lines up to an atmospheric pressure between 1 and 0.01 mbar in the case of the chemosphere and between 10-2 and 10-9 mbar in the case of the ionosphere. The sample temperature is leads to the study value 200 K.

For studies of reactions at the interface solid-gas (catalysis) the sample is deposited in the sample well is carried to the temperature under study The sample is subjected to different atmospheric compositions The mass spectrometer makes a measurement of gas composition in the absence of catalytic sample and after having been introduced this. Catalytic surface it is irradiated for example with ions using the barrel of ions

From an environmental point of view you can  simulate studies of chemical changes produced by UV irradiation in an atmosphere of ozone and water vapor. Too It can be applied to ozone formation; stratospheric ozone occurs when the sun's energy breaks gas molecules of O 2 in atoms of O. Then, these atoms of O join with others O2 molecules to form the O3 molecule, ozone.

It is also worth mentioning one of the main installation applications as without ulator the composition of the primal or prebiotic terrestrial atmosphere and study of Possible reaction products. In this particular case the composition of the atmosphere inside the chamber would be composed by the CO 2, CH 4 and H 2 gases, mainly.

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Example 2 Spatial radiation

This example includes processes of simulation as: particle radiation in the interstellar medium (interplanetary dust) to see its possible alteration, irradiation of kite ice. A specific case is the simulation of irradiation of interstellar ice by radiation ultraviolet under the following conditions 10-9 mbar and 10 K, under these conditions the effect of radiation can be studied UV, analyzing the possible formation of radicals and compounds organic

To irradiate the sample under study with UV radiation is available from the Deuterium source located at a distance of 45 cm over the sample (see figure 1). The Determination of the dose or irradiation time is measured by The spectrum radiometer. The partial pressure of gases is monitored by the mass spectrometer located in a compartment attached to the atmospheric chamber. The pressure total at which the experiment is performed is 10-9 mbar and measured with a pressure gauge located in the atmospheric hood. The Sample temperature is 10K and is measured by diode Silicon placed in the sample holder.

In this field of materials study special with applications in space technology, this machine it also presents the possibility to check or verify sensors or materials to be used in radiation conditions space (space missions, satellites, automatic probes). A concrete example would be the simulation of the conditions to which The International Space Station (ISI) is 400 km away. Earth's orbit (vacuum pressure and temperatures from 116 K up to 152 K).

Example 3 Physical-chemical materials and processes geological in planetary bodies

In this machine presented in this invention, simulate or reproduce the different geological processes that affect to the surface renewal and internal dynamics of an object planetarium at present or in other geological periods and their astrobiological implications In addition, planets and meteorites rocky, the study of the geology of other objects with chemically different solid surface like satellites outdoor solar system Geological materials can be generate, sometimes, inside the simulation chamber, cone for example gas clathrates from the vapor phase. Other times the experiment will be carried out on a geological substrate previous. Through analytical techniques such as mass spectrometry, IR and UV spectroscopy, available in the machine, can be control how chemical reactions occur and how they affect results to geological processes and what implications on Astrobiology entail. Through the use of spectroscopy infrared can compare the signals interesting with the data coming from both the sensors space as of terrestrial observatories.

The formation of minerals and rocks in conditions  aliens can be achieved on the machine object of this Patent. Concrete examples of minerals of high interest to geologists, are the following:

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Gas clathrates from substrates with physicochemical properties different.

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Evaporites and carbonates on Mars and in carbonaceous chondrites Evaluation of the formation hypothesis of these minerals with presence of non-liquid water phases.

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Organic molecules in the solar system. Stability on planetary surfaces.

An extension of this study is the simulation of the generation of planetary geological structures Of particular interest:

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Evolution of related structures with freezing / thawing ice on Mars.

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Chaotic land on surfaces with Ice in the solar system. Catastrophic destruction study of ice layers of clathrates and analysis of morphologies resulting.

Other possible studies are the evaluation of processes of exogenous alteration of planetary materials.

Photochemistry. Study of the alteration of planetary surface materials by exposure to Different types of radiation: UV, charged particles, radiation Cosmic Alteration rate calculations to establish chronology of materials affected by these processes.

Alteration of materials by variation of physical parameters (eg depressurization). Permanence of metastable materials in the new extreme conditions).

Example 4 Biological experiments Astrobiology

Experiments involving the exposure of organisms to the surface of the planets of our solar system are sometimes restricted by the conditions of withdrawal humidity in the environment, due to low pressure conditions or Even high vacuum. In this equipment you can perform different experiments to study the response of organisms previously chosen and occasionally modified, to the new conditions of high radiation, different atmospheric composition, in addition to extreme temperature and pressure.

First tests have been carried out to detect the possible metabolism of some microorganisms in the environment from the surface of Mars. The biological preparations are composed of microorganisms in vegetative state but also It could be done with resistance forms (spores). If of bacteria could be growth conditions Variables: Extremophiles or life conditions test models not extreme Sample preparation including material biological either in a vegetative state or in forms of resistance, grown and dried crops or rocks or minerals  determined where biological study material has been introduced for the test of resistance to low pressure and high conditions radiation. Analysis of the protection mechanisms that may be develop in the body against adverse conditions. Study of the effect of pigments for survival, response metabolic at the molecular level, detection of possible new Enzymatic activities that allow colonization of this medium extreme. A second application included in this field is the analysis of possible biomarkers that appear due to metabolism of microorganisms in extreme conditions.

Example 5 Simulation of planetary atmospheres. Planetology

Next it will be described as they reproduced the environmental conditions of three different bodies of the solar system in the machine motive of this invention. The three Selected objects vary in a wide range of pressures atmospheric as well as different temperatures in each surface.

In this vacuum system the conditions of pressure, temperature, gaseous composition and existing radiation on Mars, Triton and Europe.

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Planet Mars

Since the 70s, exploration on Mars has revealed some of the atmospheric properties and of surface of this planet (1, 2), for example its constituents majority and the ultraviolet radiation environment (3), the which are important restrictions for life. Values of 7 mbar pressure are normally used as average values of atmospheric pressure of the planet, the temperature has cycles of range from 150 to 280 K due to seasonal processes in the present. Both pressure values and variations in temperature can be programmed in our system, which can  have a particular interest for process simulation seasonal. To reach these values, the partial pressures of each gas so that in the chamber had 95% CO 2, 2.7% N 2, 1.6% Ar and 0.6% H 2 O with a total pressure of 7 mbars. To get this pressure, we had that close the main chamber turbo pump valve up to 90% (or at all, when the guillotine is closed completely pumped the main chamber using the membrane pump), and stop the turbomolecular pumps of differential pumping in the compartment of irradiation sources. This prevents the use of irradiation sources under conditions of Mars atmosphere. Irradiation sources can be used in case of Mars simulations if working at full pressure 1 mbar In any case, it is well known that ions and electrons that come from cosmic rays has an action Small on the surface of Mars. The programming process (obtain) the desired atmosphere for the conditions of hard Mars about 5 minutes, as shown in figure 4a. One time that the partial pressure of all gases is stabilized, It can cool the surface to 150K. It has managed to stabilize the temperature in 15 minutes, as shown in figure 4b. The variation or oscillation in the partial pressures of gases is due to the heating step (process), which induces adsorption and desorption of the molecules.

Europe satellite

Jupiter's satellite, Europe is an interesting planetary object from the geological and astrobiological point of view. Its most attractive feature is the possible presence of an ocean housed inside. The space missions of Voyager and Galileo have obtained some information about the physics, chemistry and geology of this planet, including the distribution of temperature (4) and the environment (conditions) of surface radiation (5). In addition, observations made from Earth have determined the existence of atmosphere (6). For studies on the surface of the Europa satellite, the base chamber pressure should be reduced as much as possible. As standard CF has been used for vacuum flanges, these low pressures (ultra high vacuum) can be achieved after the whole machine is baked, such a procedure is well known in the field of surface physics in ultra high vacuum systems (heating causes desorption of adsorbed water vapor on the bell walls). The residual pressure is in the range of low values of 10-9 mbar, and the main composition is water molecules and
hydrogen.

The experimental protocol consists of:

1. The sample is cooled to 50 ° K. Stabilize this temperature value in the sample takes about 20 minutes (see figure 5a). In this process many of the gases condense and the total atmospheric pressure of the chamber decreases to values of 10-10 mbar.

2. Then oxygen was introduced through the valve found in manifold 2, until monitored in the mass spectrometer the required pressure as seen in the graph of figure 5b.

Triton Satellite

The Voyager 2 spacecraft has shown the normal activity of the satellite of Neptune, Triton. Processes geological, as cryovolcanism occur in this environment of extremely low temperatures, in which even nitrogen It is seasonally (periodically) solid. Interactions between the atmosphere and surface have been described as geysers expelling gases. Once in the atmosphere, some materials are photolytically destroyed (7).

Triton's conditions have been simulated in This machine also as a technically limit environment (challenge technical), due to the circumstances of low relative pressure (10 -2 mbar, with 93% N2, 4% CO and 3% CH4) and 5 very low temperatures Although Triton has no significant evidence of astrobiological interest, deserves attention from the geological point of view To reproduce, the atmosphere of Triton, the desired gaseous composition was programmed first, which stabilizes in about 5 minutes. The partial pressure of each gas to Triton's atmosphere is depicted in figure 6 near the Start. Starting from that point, the temperature was lowered to the value of 38K. It is worth mentioning that this temperature is close to the critical point of the gases that make up Triton's atmosphere, consequently, a small variation in temperature causes that CO, CH 4, and N 2 condense (since the time of 500 at 1000s see in figure 6. As a consequence, extreme control at the surface temperature must be achieved to achieve stable atmospheric conditions 1 for Triton. Have been capable of reaching stable Triton conditions after 15 minutes

At the moment, it has been proven that you can Stably reproduce the conditions of:

Mars (7 mbars total pressure, with 95% CO2, 2.7% N2, 1.6% Ar and 0.6% H2O, and temperatures between 150 to 280K)

Europe (10-8 mbar of O2 and temperatures between 86 and 146K)

Triton (10 -2 mbar, with 93% N2, 4% CO and 3% CH4 and 38K temperature)

However the versatility of the machine invented makes it possible to reproduce the conditions of any planet, with the only condition that the pressure be more  Low or equal to atmospheric.

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Example f.) Calibration and approval of sensors and functional materials a different atmospheres

This invention constitutes a unique platform for conducting sensor calibration tests, as well as  Functional testing of scientific instrumentation (trials), intended for study in reproducible atmospheric conditions by how the conditions in interplanetary space can be, (planets, artificial satellites), or at the Earth's poles. Pressure, temperature, gas concentration, radiation ultraviolet, of electrons and ions, can be simulated in a wide range of energies

Due to its special configuration (control of flows in different chambers (turbulent, laminar and molecular)), is possible to combine pressure, temperature and gas concentration, with ultraviolet radiation (deuterium lamp), or with ions (Ar, H, He), electrons, or ultraviolet radiation (discharge lamp of He).

This allows to characterize sensors in their minimum - maximum ranges, and the performance of functional parametric tests (tests), as a combination of all the variables. Our installation admits, by means of the use of flanges adapted with ultra-high vacuum passages, that the instrumentation of which is the object of study (test), can be tested in situ , analyzing the effects of radiation, on pressure measurements or temperature, or on certain doses of radiation, check the effects that could cause changes in pressure or temperature.

References

(1) Owen , TC ( 1992 ). The composition and early history of the atmosphere of Mars. In: Mars. Kieffer, HH et al . (Eds.), 818-835. University of Arizona Press.

(2) Zurek , RW et al . ( 1992 ). Dynamics of the atmosphere of Mars. In: Mars. Kieffer, HH et al . (Eds.), 835-934. University of Arizona Press.

(3) Cockell , CS, et al . ( 2000 ). The UV environment of Mars: Biological implications. Past, present and future. Icarus 146, 343-349.

(4) Spencer , JR, et al . ( 1999 ). Temperatures on Europa from PPR: Night time thermal anomalies. Science 284, 1514-1516.

(5) Cooper , JF, et al . ( 2001 ) .Energetic: With and Electron Irradiation of the Icy Galilean Satellites Icarus, Volume 149, Issue 1, 133-159.

(6) Hall , DT, et al . ( 1995 ). Detectio: z of an oxygen atmosphere on Jupiter's moon, Europe. Nature 373, 677-679.

(7) Yelle , RV et al . ( 1995 ). Lower atmospheric structure and surface atmosphere interaction on Triton. In: Neptune and Triton. Cruikshank, DP (Ed.), 1031-11C7. University of Arizona Press.

Claims (4)

1. Machine useful for the reproduction and simulation of the conditions of surface environments or planetary atmospheres characterized in that it comprises the following parts: a) an atmospheric, vacuum or main chamber where to perform the projected processes where you read composition of the gases introduced into it and the partial pressure (both for high vacuum jobs like those at atmospheric pressure) it is controllable by means of a pumping and measuring system and control of the pressure of each gaseous component introduced into the main chamber, and where properly attached to this chamber main exist, b) a sample holder unit and system (manipulator or transfer) that allows the introduction of this one in the main chamber, c) a cryostat in contact with the sample holder that allows the introduced sample in the main chamber keep a fixed temperature, d) download sources that include system with double differential pumping for sample irradiation placed in the main chamber, and e) a source of deuterium. 2. Machine according to claim 1 characterized in that the atmospheric or main chamber of a) optionally comprises the following parts as elements of analysis and / or verification of the gaseous medium: a gas analysis system and / or a controlled input system of the gases; and / or the following parts as measuring elements and analysis of biological materials or media: infrared spectroscopy and / or Ultraviolet spectroscopy. 3. Use of the machine according to the claims 1 and 2 for carrying out material tests, catalysts, chemical compounds, biotechnological biochemicals or samples Biological 4. Use according to claim 3 characterized in that the chemical tests or experiments are tests in the gas phase or interaction between solid surface and gas atmosphere.