Ground operations demonstration unit for liquid hydrogen initial test results

W U Notardonato,A M Swanger,W L Johnson,T Tomsik

doi:10.1088/1757-899x/101/1/012081

W U Notardonato, A M Swanger + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899x/101/1/012081

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Abstract

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.

Highlights

NASA operations for handling cryogens in ground support equipment have not changed substantially in 50 years, despite advances in the field of cryogenics
It is hoped that successful demonstration of these energy efficient cryogenic operations in a relevant scale and environment will enable their incorporation in future spaceport architectures
NASA Kennedy Space Center has built and started testing a ground operations demonstration unit for liquid hydrogen to demonstrate advanced storage and distribution operations compared to typical KSC processes

Summary

Introduction

NASA operations for handling cryogens in ground support equipment have not changed substantially in 50 years, despite advances in the field of cryogenics. The system is designed with refrigeration capacity will be sized to allow for zero boil-off storage in the tank, reliquefaction of vapors normally lost in the chill down of transfer lines, reliquefaction (instead of venting) of ullage gas used for pressurization, and all losses from tanker operations. This system will attempt to demonstrate techniques to recover 65% of the hydrogen lost today. With a hydrogen turbo-alternator in line, the compression energy at the production plant can be partially recovered by the expansion process

System Design

Test Operations

Findings

Conclusions