Ground operations demonstration unit for liquid hydrogen initial test results

Cryogenic Engineering Conference 2015

材料科学;物理学

Notardonato, W.U.^1 ; Johnson, W.L.^2 ; Swanger, A.M.^3 ; Tomsik, T.^2

NASA Kennedy Space Center, Cryogenics Test Laboratory, UB-R1, KSC, FL

32899, United States^1

NASA Glenn Research Center, Cryogenic and Fluids Branch, LTF0, Cleveland

OH

44135, United States^2

NASA Kennedy Space Center, Cryogenics Test Laboratory, NE-M5-B, KSC, FL

32899, United States^3

关键词: Cryogenic propellant;    Demonstration units;    Distribution systems;    Energy efficient;    Ground support equipment;    Multiple-objectives;    NASA Kennedy Space Center;    Technology advances;   

Others  :  https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1757-899X/101/1/012081/pdf
DOI  :  10.1088/1757-899X/101/1/012081

学科分类：材料科学（综合）

来源: IOP

【 摘 要 】

NASA operations for handling cryogens in ground support equipment have not changed substantially in 50 years, despite major technology advances in the field of cryogenics. NASA loses approximately 50% of the hydrogen purchased because of a continuous heat leak into ground and flight vessels, transient chill down of warm cryogenic equipment, liquid bleeds, and vent losses. NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC) needs to develop energy-efficient cryogenic ground systems to minimize propellant losses, simplify operations, and reduce cost associated with hydrogen usage. The GODU LH2 project has designed, assembled, and started testing of a prototype storage and distribution system for liquid hydrogen that represents an advanced end-to-end cryogenic propellant system for a ground launch complex. The project has multiple objectives including zero loss storage and transfer, liquefaction of gaseous hydrogen, and densification of liquid hydrogen. The system is unique because it uses an integrated refrigeration and storage system (IRAS) to control the state of the fluid. This paper will present and discuss the results of the initial phase of testing of the GODU LH2 system.