Study of heating and evaporation of metal in an inductor in relation to the problem of space debris processing and creating evaporative-type space engine

Abstract

The work experimentally studied the evaporation of water and metal in a crucible simulating the nozzle of a space engine during induction heating, and also carried out analytical assessments of the generated jet thrust. An experimental laboratory setup is described. Measurements of the pressure created by the nozzle as a result of evaporation of the material in a vacuum were carried out. Zinc was used as the evaporated material. The experimental results are in satisfactory agreement with theoretical estimates. The results obtained are expected to be used in the development of an evaporative-type space engine with space debris as a working fluid.