Renovation of Thermal Vacuum Chambers at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) for Testing of Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS)
- Idaho National Laboratory
The Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) program at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) fuels and performs environmental testing of RPS in support of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) missions. Recently the programs’ thermal vacuum chambers, housed within INL’s Space and Security Power Systems Facility (SSPSF), underwent successful renovations to improve functional capabilities and system control in support of customer missions. Thermal vacuum system renovations focused primarily on three core functions. The first focus area was integration of semi-automated Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) to enhance operational feedback and process control. This included the use of numerically controlled vacuum valves and integration of real time feedback from process pressure transducers. Improvements to the system high vacuum pumping technology was the second priority focus. Legacy diffusion pumps were replaced with turbo-molecular and cryogenic pumps to help mitigate the possibility of back streaming diffusion pump oil onto the surface of the test article or radiative cooling surfaces located within the chambers. The third and final core function involved meeting emergent customer thermal requirements. This led to retro-fitting one of the vacuum chambers with a cryogenically cooled Thermal Conditioning Unit (TCU) and thermal shrouds. The TCU utilizes gaseous nitrogen to heat or cool a cylindrical shroud to maintain a set temperature with a programmable range of -I85 °C to I00 °C. With the successful completion of RPS acceptance testing, the newly renovated thermal vacuum chamber systems are operational and better equipped to support testing of Radioisotope Power Systems for space exploration missions.
- Research Organization:
- Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- RPS Program
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC07-05ID14517
- OSTI ID:
- 1481774
- Report Number(s):
- INL/CON-18-45374-Rev002
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Renovation of Thermal Vacuum Chambers at Idaho National Laboratory for Testing of Radioisotope Power Systems
ENHANCED THERMAL VACUUM TEST CAPABILITY FOR RADIOISOTOPE POWER SYSTEMS AT THE IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORY BETTER SIMULATES ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS OF SPACE