Conceptual Design and Analysis of Orbital Cryogenic Liquid Storage and Supply Systems.

Abstract

A wide variety of orbital cryogenic liquid storage and supply systems are defined in NASA and DOD long-range plans. These systems include small cooling applications, large chemical and electrical orbit transfer vehicles and resupply tankers. All have the common requirements of low-g fluid management to accomplish gas-free liquid expulsion and efficient thermal control to manage heat leak and tank pressure. A preliminary design study was performed to evaluate tanks ranging from 0.6 to 37.4 cu. 3 (22 to 1320 cu. ft). Liquids of interest were hydrogen, oxygen, methane, argon and helium. Conceptual designs were generated for each tank system and fluid dynamic, thermal and structural analyses were performed for Shuttle compatible operations. Design trades considered the paradox of conservative support structure and minimum thermal input. Orbital performance and weight data were developed, and a technology evaluation was completed. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1981
Accession Number
ADA100846

Entities

People

  • G. R. Cunnington
  • Ralph N. Eberhardt
  • William A. Johns

Organizations

  • Martin Marietta

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Composite Materials
  • Computer Programs
  • Fluid Dynamics
  • Fluid Flow
  • Geometry
  • Heat Energy
  • Heat Transfer
  • Jet Propulsion
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Processing
  • Materials Science
  • Materials Testing
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Mechanics
  • Propulsion Systems
  • Thermal Conductivity
  • Thermodynamics

Readers

  • Combustion science or combustion engineering.
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster