Dynamic performance of a switching and proportional hybrid-controlled xenon feed system for electric propulsion applications

The Propellant Feed System (PFS) is a crucial component of Electric Propulsion System (EPS) which is widely used in satellites for its high reliability and specific impulse. The Switching and Proportional Hybrid-controlled Xenon Feed System (SPHXFS) is a novel type of PFS with high flow regulation precision. This study develops a system-level simulation model with 75 components for the SPHXFS. The accuracy of the model is validated through the comparison with test data, showing an error of less than 3% during the startup phase and less than 0.1% after stabilization. The study analyzes the startup process and finds that the two-stage pressure reduction system avoids two-phase flow interference downstream, achieving a regulation accuracy of ±0.1%. A long-term operation simulation of the system is conducted, revealing that pressure fluctuations occur upstream at 4 767 s due to Bang-Bang control. However, with proportional control adjustments, these fluctuations do not affect the flow supply. Further research examines the impact of synchronous and asynchronous control modes of the Bang-Bang Valve (TPBBV) under the tank pressures of 6–10 MPa on the system's dynamic characteristics. It is found that the asynchronous control scheme results in a flow supply settling time that is 7.2–10 s longer than the synchronous control scheme, with an overshoot increase of 4.1%–4.9%. These insights provide valuable reference and guidance for system optimization design and the formulation of operational strategies.