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Engineering Analysis Studies for Preliminary Design of Lightweight Cryogenic Hydrogen Tanks in UAV ApplicationsA series of engineering analysis studies were conducted to investigate the potential application of nanoclay-enhanced graphite/epoxy composites and polymer cross-linked silica aerogels in cryogenic hydrogen storage tank designs. This assessment focused on the application of these materials in spherical tank designs for unmanned aeronautic vehicles with mission durations of 14 days. Two cryogenic hydrogen tank design concepts were considered: a vacuum-jacketed design and a sandwiched construction with an aerogel insulating core. Analyses included thermal and structural analyses of the tank designs as well as an analysis of hydrogen diffusion to specify the material permeability requirements. The analyses also provided material property targets for the continued development of cross-linked aerogels and nanoclay-enhanced graphite/epoxy composites for cryogenic storage tank applications. The results reveal that a sandwiched construction with an aerogel core is not a viable design solution for a 14-day mission. A vacuum-jacketed design approach was shown to be far superior to an aerogel. Aerogel insulation may be feasible for shorter duration missions. The results also reveal that the application of nanoclay-enhanced graphite/epoxy should be limited to the construction of outer tanks in a vacuum-jacketed design, since a graphite/epoxy inner tank does not provide a significant weight savings over aluminum and since the ability of nanoclay-enhanced graphite/epoxy to limit hydrogen permeation is still in question.
Document ID
20060021606
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Technical Publication (TP)
Authors
Sullivan, Roy M. (NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Palko, Joseph L. (Connecticut Researve Technologies, LLC Strongsville, OH, United States)
Tornabene, Robert T. (NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Bednarcyk, Brett A. (Ohio Aerospace Inst. Brook Park, OH, United States)
Powers, Lynn M. (Ohio Aerospace Inst. Brook Park, OH, United States)
Mital, Subodh K. (Toledo Univ. OH, United States)
Smith, Lizalyn M. (NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Wang, Xiao-Yen J. (NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Hunter, James E. (NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
May 1, 2006
Subject Category
Aircraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
E-15431
NASA/TP-2006-214094
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 489-02-07-03
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

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