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기술보고서

기술보고서 게시판 내용
타이틀	Liquid Methane Conditioning Capabilities Developed at the NASA Glenn Research Center''s Small Multi- Purpose Research Facility (SMiRF) for Accelerated Lunar Surface Storage Thermal Testing
저자	Bamberger, Helmut H.;; Robinson, R. Craig;; Jurns, John M.;; Grasl, Steven J.
Keyword	CRYOGENIC FLUIDS;; CRYOGENICS;; FABRICATION;; FLUID MANAGEMENT;; LIQUEFIED GASES;; LIQUID HYDROGEN;; METHANE;; PROPELLANT TESTS;; RESEARCH FACILITIES;; TEST FACILITIES;; THERMAL ENVIRONMENTS;; VACUUM CHAMBERS
URL	http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20110016512
보고서번호	NASA/CR-2011-216745
발행년도	2011
출처	NTRS (NASA Technical Report Server)
ABSTRACT	Glenn Research Center s Creek Road Cryogenic Complex, Small Multi-Purpose Research Facility (SMiRF) recently completed validation / checkout testing of a new liquid methane delivery system and liquid methane (LCH4) conditioning system. Facility checkout validation was conducted in preparation for a series of passive thermal control technology tests planned at SMiRF in FY10 using a flight-like propellant tank at simulated thermal environments from 140 to 350K. These tests will validate models and provide high quality data to support consideration of LCH4/LO2 propellant combination option for a lunar or planetary ascent stage.An infrastructure has been put in place which will support testing of large amounts of liquid methane at SMiRF. Extensive modifications were made to the test facility s existing liquid hydrogen system for compatibility with liquid methane. Also, a new liquid methane fluid conditioning system will enable liquid methane to be quickly densified (sub-cooled below normal boiling point) and to be quickly reheated to saturation conditions between 92 and 140 K. Fluid temperatures can be quickly adjusted to compress the overall test duration. A detailed trade study was conducted to determine an appropriate technique to liquid conditioning with regard to the SMiRF facility s existing infrastructure. In addition, a completely new roadable dewar has been procured for transportation and temporary storage of liquid methane. A new spherical, flight-representative tank has also been fabricated for integration into the vacuum chamber at SMiRF. The addition of this system to SMiRF marks the first time a large-scale liquid methane propellant test capability has been realized at Glenn.This work supports the Cryogenic Fluid Management Project being conducted under the auspices of the Exploration Technology Development Program, providing focused cryogenic fluid management technology efforts to support NASA s future robotic or human exploration missions.