DESIGN OPTIMIZATION OF THE RADIOTRACER PROPELLANT GAUGE.
Abstract
The report presents the results of a study concerning the design of radiotracer propellant gauging systems for both bladder and bladderless feed system configurations. The radiotracer propellant gauging concept is based on the principle that the concentration of radiotracer gas located in the ullage volume of the propellant tank or in the pressurant tank will decrease in proportion to the quantity of propellant removed. Thus, the variation in radiotracer concentration which can be measured using a radiation detector provides an accurate measurement of the propellant remaining. This study has identified several areas for further investigation including system definition, component development and ground system testing of a radiotracer gauging system for bladderless propulsion systems. Also, it has been found that a solid beta source-detector combination which measures the gas density in the pressurant tank may offer certain advantages over the radiotracer technique when used in a bladderless system.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 31, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0800666
Entities
Organizations
- TRW Inc.