Parahydrogen–Orthohydrogen Conversion on Catalyst-Loaded Scrim for Vapor-Cooled Shielding of Cryogenic Storage Vessels

Journal Article · Thu Aug 13 00:00:00 EDT 2020 · Journal of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer (Online)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2514/1.t5136· OSTI ID:2435637

Pedrow, Brandt P. ^[1]; Muniyal Krishna, Santhosh K. ^[2]; Shoemake, Elijah D. ^[2]; Leachman, Jacob W. ^[2]; Matveev, Konstantin I. ^[2]

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1. Washington State University, Pullman, WA (United States); Washington State University
2. Washington State University, Pullman, WA (United States)

As long-distance human space travel becomes more realistic, the need for long-term storage of cryogenic propellants becomes a forefront issue. Effective cryo-fluid system management becomes a necessity to solve this issue. The fuel–oxidizer combination of choice for NASA’s Space Launch System is liquid hydrogen (LH₂) and liquid oxygen (LOX). The current strategy used on many upper stage vehicles, including United Launch Alliance’s Advanced Cryogenic Evolved Stage, is to use the boil-off gases of the colder cryogen (LH₂) to help insulate the warmer cryogen (LOX) and reduce the static boil-off. In this work, experimental measurements are collected for a range of catalyst materials and weight loadings of Fe_2⁢O₃ and RuO₂ catalysts on Nomex scrim blankets. Furthermore, the blankets are configured in a nonisothermal catalytic reactor with a 23 K input temperature and heated to 90 K output temperature. Results of catalyzation of parahydrogen to orthohydrogen gas are presented as well as a catalyzation model to represent the measurements for future use. In addition, simplified computational fluid dynamics studies have been initiated to estimate the surface-based conversion rate constant by matching numerical results and experimental data.

• Research Organization: Washington State University, Pullman, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Office of Sustainable Transportation. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Office of SBIR/STTR Programs (SBIR/STTR)
• Grant/Contract Number: EE0008429
• OSTI ID: 2435637
• Alternate ID(s): OSTI ID: 1848787
• Journal Information: Journal of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer (Online), Journal Name: Journal of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer (Online) Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 35; ISSN 1533-6808
• Publisher: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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