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Glass Bubbles Insulation for Liquid Hydrogen Storage TanksA full-scale field application of glass bubbles insulation has been demonstrated in a 218,000 L liquid hydrogen storage tank. This work is the evolution of extensive materials testing, laboratory scale testing, and system studies leading to the use of glass bubbles insulation as a cost efficient and high performance alternative in cryogenic storage tanks of any size. The tank utilized is part of a rocket propulsion test complex at the NASA Stennis Space Center and is a 1960's vintage spherical double wall tank with an evacuated annulus. The original perlite that was removed from the annulus was in pristine condition and showed no signs of deterioration or compaction. Test results show a significant reduction in liquid hydrogen boiloff when compared to recent baseline data prior to removal of the perlite insulation. The data also validates the previous laboratory scale testing (1000 L) and full-scale numerical modeling (3,200,000 L) of boiloff in spherical cryogenic storage tanks. The performance of the tank will continue to be monitored during operation of the tank over the coming years.
Document ID
20130011367
Acquisition Source
Kennedy Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
J P Sass (Kennedy Space Center Merritt Island, Florida, United States)
W W St Cyr (Stennis Space Center Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi, United States)
T M Barrett (3M (United States) Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States)
R G Baumgartner (Technology Applications (United States) Boulder, Colorado, United States)
J W Lott (Stennis Space Center Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi, United States)
J E Fesmire (Kennedy Space Center Merritt Island, Florida, United States)
Date Acquired
August 27, 2013
Publication Date
April 23, 2010
Publication Information
Publication: AIP Conference Proceedings
Publisher: American Institute of Physics
Volume: 1218
Issue: 1
Issue Publication Date: January 1, 2010
ISSN: 0094-243X
e-ISSN: 1551-7616
ISBN: 9780735407619
DOI: 10.1063/1.3422430
Subject Category
Propellants And Fuels
Report/Patent Number
KSC-2009-132
Meeting Information
Meeting: Cryogenic Engineering Conference (CEC) and International Cryogenic Materials Conference (ICMC)
Location: Tucson, AZ
Country: US
Start Date: June 28, 2009
End Date: July 2, 2009
Sponsors: Advanced Research Systems
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
Glass bubble
Perlite
Insulation
Liquid hydrogen
Storage tank

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