Cryogenic Insulation Standard Data and … Extending some recent developments in the area of...
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ABSTRACT Extending some recent developments in the area of technical consensus standards for cryogenic thermal insulation systems, a preliminary Inter-Laboratory Study of foam insulation materials was performed by NASA Kennedy Space Center and LeTourneau University. The initial focus was ambient pressure cryogenic boil off testing using the Cryostat-400 flat-plate instrument. Completion of a test facility at LETU has enabled direct, comparative testing, using identical cryostat instruments and methods, and the production of standard thermal data sets for a number of materials under sub-ambient conditions. The two sets of measurements were analyzed and indicate there is reasonable agreement between the two laboratories.Based on cryogenic boiloff calorimetry, new equipment and methods for testing thermal insulation systems have been successfully developed. These boiloff instruments (or cryostats) include both flat plate and cylindrical models and are applicable to a wide range of different materials under a wide range of test conditions. Test measurements are generally made at large temperature difference (boundary temperatures of 293 K and 78 K are typical) and include the full vacuum pressure range. Results are generally reported in effective thermal conductivity (ke) and mean heat flux (q) through the insulation system. The new cryostat instruments provide an effective and reliable way to characterize the thermal performance of materials under sub- ambient conditions. Proven in through thousands of tests of hundreds of material systems, they have supported a wide range of aerospace, industry, and research projects. Boiloff testing technology is not just for cryogenic testing but is a cost- effective, field-representative methodology to test any material or system for applications at sub-ambient temperatures. This technology, when adequately coupled with a technical standards basis, can provide a cost-effective, field-representative ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ At Start: 7 Current: 8 At End: 9 Applied Research Develop- ment Demo & Test Table of Contents Abstract Technology Maturity Anticipated Benefits Realized Benefits Management Team Technology Areas Detailed Description U.S. Locations Working on this Project Details for Technology 1 Technology Maturity Completed Project (2013 - 2014) Cryogenic Insulation Standard Data and Methodologies Project Center Independent Research & Developments: KSC IRAD Program | Mission Support Directorate (MSD) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 For more information visit techport.nasa.gov Some NASA technology projects are smaller (for example SBIR/STTR, NIAC and Center Innovation Fund), and will have less content than other, larger projects. Newly created projects may not yet have detailed project information. Printed 7/27/2015 Page 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 6 8 10 https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20150016085 2018-06-11T08:48:57+00:00Z
Transcript of Cryogenic Insulation Standard Data and … Extending some recent developments in the area of...
ABSTRACT
Extendingsomerecentdevelopmentsintheareaoftechnicalconsensusstandardsforcryogenicthermalinsulationsystems,apreliminaryInter-LaboratoryStudyoffoaminsulationmaterialswasperformedbyNASAKennedySpaceCenterandLeTourneauUniversity.TheinitialfocuswasambientpressurecryogenicboilofftestingusingtheCryostat-400flat-plateinstrument.CompletionofatestfacilityatLETUhasenableddirect,comparativetesting,usingidenticalcryostatinstrumentsandmethods,andtheproductionofstandardthermaldatasetsforanumberofmaterialsundersub-ambientconditions.Thetwosetsofmeasurementswereanalyzedandindicatethereisreasonableagreementbetweenthetwolaboratories.Basedoncryogenicboiloffcalorimetry,newequipmentandmethodsfortestingthermalinsulationsystemshavebeensuccessfullydeveloped.Theseboiloffinstruments(orcryostats)includebothflatplateandcylindricalmodelsandareapplicabletoawiderangeofdifferentmaterialsunderawiderangeoftestconditions.Testmeasurementsaregenerallymadeatlargetemperaturedifference(boundarytemperaturesof293Kand78Karetypical)andincludethefullvacuumpressurerange.Resultsaregenerallyreportedineffectivethermalconductivity(ke)andmeanheatflux(q)throughtheinsulationsystem.Thenewcryostatinstrumentsprovideaneffectiveandreliablewaytocharacterizethethermalperformanceofmaterialsundersub-ambientconditions.Proveninthroughthousandsoftestsofhundredsofmaterialsystems,theyhavesupportedawiderangeofaerospace,industry,andresearchprojects.Boilofftestingtechnologyisnotjustforcryogenictestingbutisacost-effective,field-representativemethodologytotestanymaterialorsystemforapplicationsatsub-ambienttemperatures.Thistechnology,whenadequatelycoupledwithatechnicalstandardsbasis,canprovideacost-effective,field-representative
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AppliedResearch
Develop-ment
Demo&Test
TableofContents
AbstractTechnologyMaturityAnticipatedBenefitsRealizedBenefitsManagementTeamTechnologyAreasDetailedDescriptionU.S.LocationsWorkingonthisProjectDetailsforTechnology1
TechnologyMaturity
CompletedProject(2013-2014)
CryogenicInsulationStandardDataandMethodologiesProjectCenterIndependentResearch&Developments:KSCIRADProgram|MissionSupportDirectorate(MSD)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Formoreinformationvisittechport.nasa.govSomeNASAtechnologyprojectsaresmaller(forexampleSBIR/STTR,NIACandCenter
InnovationFund),andwillhavelesscontentthanother,largerprojects.Newlycreatedprojectsmaynotyethavedetailedprojectinformation. Printed7/27/2015
Page1
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https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20150016085 2018-06-11T08:48:57+00:00Z
methodologytotestanymaterialorsystemforapplicationsatsub-ambienttocryogenictemperatures.Agrowingneedforenergyefficiencyandcryogenicapplicationsiscreatingaworldwidedemandforimprovedthermalinsulationsystemsforlowtemperatures.Theneedforthermalcharacterizationofthesesystemsandmaterialsraisesacorrespondingneedforinsulationteststandardsandthermaldatatargetedforcryogenic-vacuumapplications.Suchstandardshaveastrongcorrelationtoenergy,transportation,andenvironmentandtheadvancementofnewmaterialstechnologiesintheseareas.Inconjunctionwiththisproject,twonewstandardsoncryogenicinsulationwererecentlypublishedbyASTMInternational:C1774andC740.FollowingtherequirementsofNPR7120.10,TechnicalStandardsforNASAProgramsandProjects,theappropriateinformationinthisreportcanbeprovidedtotheNASAChiefEngineerasinputforNASA'sannualreporttoNIST,asrequiredbyOMBCircularNo.A-119,describingNASA'suseofvoluntaryconsensusstandardsandparticipationinthedevelopmentofvoluntaryconsensusstandardsandbodies.
ANTICIPATEDBENEFITS
ToNASAfundedmissions:
Tomakecryogensmorepracticaltostoreandtransfer,whetheronEarthorinspaceorotherdestinations,benchmarkthermalperformancedataareneeded.Toobtainsuchdata,standardapproaches,methodologies,andapparatusesarealsoneeded.Thisprojectaddressestheprobleminathreeprongedapproach:materialsscienceanddevelopment;testingmethodolgiesandequipment.Programsandprojectssupportedinclude,forexample:SLSvehicle,GameChangingTechnology-CryogenicCompositeTanks,AdvancedExplorationSystems-LiquidHydrogenandLiquidOxygenGroundOperationsDemonstrations,SBIR-materialsresearchprojects
2ConferencePapers2PeerReviewedPapers
2Publications
ManagementTeam
ProgramDirector:BurtonSummerfield
ProgramExecutive:KarenThompson
ProgramManager:NancyZeitlin
ProjectManager:PamelaMullenix
PrincipalInvestigator:JamesFesmire
Co-Investigator:AdamSwanger
CompletedProject(2013-2014)
CryogenicInsulationStandardDataandMethodologiesProjectCenterIndependentResearch&Developments:KSCIRADProgram|MissionSupportDirectorate(MSD)
Formoreinformationvisittechport.nasa.govSomeNASAtechnologyprojectsaresmaller(forexampleSBIR/STTR,NIACandCenter
InnovationFund),andwillhavelesscontentthanother,largerprojects.Newlycreatedprojectsmaynotyethavedetailedprojectinformation. Printed7/27/2015
Page2
(collaborationwithcompanies),CryogenicSpillProtectionforLNGCryofuelSystems,CIF-MultifunctionalStructuralThermalComposites,NIAC-LunarRegolithRegolith-DerivedHeatShield,etc.
ThisprojectisonepartofalargereffortthathasensuedsincethecompletionoftheNASAInternalResearchandDevelopment(IR&D)projectTechnologiestoIncreaseReliabilityofThermalInsulationSystemsfundedbytheSpaceOperationsMissionDirectorate(SOMD)in2004.
Thestandardreferencedatasetsproducedareavailableforcryogenicsystemsdesign,analysis,anddevelopment.Futuretechnicalconsensusstandardsareenvisionedforbothtestmethodsandmaterialspractices.Specifictestmethodswouldbeformulatedforcylindricalandflatplategeometriescoveringabsoluteandcomparativeapproaches,asrequiredbymutualindustryneeds.Standarddatasetsforspecificmaterialswouldthenbeproducedthrougharoundrobinofcryogenictestingamonglaboratories,thusenablingnewstandardmaterialpractices.
ToNASAunfunded&plannedmissions:
ExistinginformationcombinedwiththelatestresearchtestdatahasbeenorganizedtohelpsolvetheproblemspresentedbythethermalenvironmentsoftheEarth,launchascent,Moon,andMars.TheCryogenicsTestLaboratoryatNASAKennedySpaceCenterhasproducedmuchnewinformationoncryogenicandvacuumenvironmentsincludinghighvacuum(MoonorEarthorbit),softvacuum(Marsorlaunchascent),andnovacuum(Earthatmospherewithorwithouthumidity).Thematerialsincludemultilayerinsulation,aerogelblankets,aerogelbulk-fill,foams,composites,andmanyotherconstructions.
TechnologyAreas
Ground&LaunchSystemsProcessing(TA13)
LaunchPropulsionSystems(TA1)In-SpacePropulsionTechnologies(TA2)SpacePower&EnergyStorage(TA3)HumanHealth,LifeSupport&HabitationSystems(TA6)HumanExplorationDestinationSystems(TA7)Nanotechnology(TA10)Materials,Structures,MechanicalSystems&Manufacturing(TA12)ThermalManagementSystems(TA14)
CompletedProject(2013-2014)
CryogenicInsulationStandardDataandMethodologiesProjectCenterIndependentResearch&Developments:KSCIRADProgram|MissionSupportDirectorate(MSD)
Formoreinformationvisittechport.nasa.govSomeNASAtechnologyprojectsaresmaller(forexampleSBIR/STTR,NIACandCenter
InnovationFund),andwillhavelesscontentthanother,largerprojects.Newlycreatedprojectsmaynotyethavedetailedprojectinformation. Printed7/27/2015
Page3
Toothergovernmentagencies:
Energyuse,efficiency,conservation,andalternativesarecriticaltothefutureonEarthandinspace,only10%oftotalusagehastodowithelectricalenergywhile90%isthermalenergy!Tohavebasicinformationonlow-temperaturethermalinsulationisanenablingandcross-cuttingbenefitforNASAandindustrialneedsnationwideandonaglobalscale.Cryogenicinsulationrequirementsarespreadthroughoutpropulsion,airframe,architecture,andlaunchsystems.Historically,programshaveassumedotherswouldcoverthisworkorthattheworkwouldbecoveredbyanotherrelatedsystemarea.Theworkisdisciplineadvancingandthedevelopmentofstandardshasthepotentialtobenefitmanyprogramsandprojects.Theworkaddressesissuescommontopropulsion,lifesupport,power,andscience(refrigeration)systems,includingflight,in-space,andsurfacesystems.ProjectadvancesbothNASA-widerequirementsandNationaldirectivesbydevelopingstandarddataandtestingforcryogenicinsulationmaterials.StrategicpartnershipsensuremaximumbenefittoNASAobjectivesfortechnologyadvancement,engineeringinformation,andtechnicalcapabilities.
Tothecommercialspaceindustry:
Whatisthepoint?Newthermalmaterialsandthermalmanagementsystemsareneededforfuturespacelaunchvehiclesandthespaceexplorationenterprise.Thiscriticalareaofnewtechnologyisnowinacompetitivegloballaunchmarket.Thermalinsulationmustbeconsideredasanintegratedsystem,notmerelyanadd-onelement.Theendofinsulationasabolt-onelementistheunderlyingthemeofthisR&Dproject.Developmentofthermalinsulationsystemstechnologyshouldproceedfrombasicunderstandingofbothhightemperatureandlowtemperaturerequirements(hotside+coldside)aswellasstructuralandthermalrequirements.Toaddressthetotalenergyefficiencypictureofanycomplexspacehardwaresystemthedevelopmentmustalsoconsiderbothactivesystemssuchascryocoolersandpassivesystemssuchasfoammaterials.Multifunctionalthermalinsulationsystemsareakeytotechnologicaladvancementsthatcanbeachievedbyconsideringmaterials,testing,andengineeredapplications.
Tothenation:
Theneedforpracticalthermalconductivitydataforcryogenicapplicationscontinuestogrowinareassuchasoil&gas,electricalpower,refrigeratedtransport,aerospace,aircraft,groundtransportation,industrialprocesses,semi-conductormanufacturing,andmanyothers.Newmaterials,forexample,aerogelblankets,aerogelbulk-fill,glassbubbles,polyimidefoams,arenowcommerciallyavailableandarebeingappliedforlow-temperatureinsulationsolutionsandbroad
CompletedProject(2013-2014)
CryogenicInsulationStandardDataandMethodologiesProjectCenterIndependentResearch&Developments:KSCIRADProgram|MissionSupportDirectorate(MSD)
Formoreinformationvisittechport.nasa.govSomeNASAtechnologyprojectsaresmaller(forexampleSBIR/STTR,NIACandCenter
InnovationFund),andwillhavelesscontentthanother,largerprojects.Newlycreatedprojectsmaynotyethavedetailedprojectinformation. Printed7/27/2015
Page4
industrialapplication.Newmultilayerandcompositeinsulationmaterialshavealsobeendevelopedforhighlevelsofthermalperformancetomeetthegrowingdemandsforenergyefficiencyandenvironmentalresponsibilityintoday’seconomy.
Respondingtohighlevelobjectivesinbothenergyefficiencystandardsandtechnicalconsensusstandards,thisprojectadvancesbothNASA-widerequirementsandNationaldirectivesbydevelopingstandarddataandtestingforcryogenicinsulationmaterials.StrategicpartnershipsensuremaximumbenefittoNASAobjectivesfortechnologyadvancement,engineeringinformation,andtechnicalcapabilities.TherelevantAgencyandFederaldirectivesandinitiativesarelistedasfollows:
1.OMBCircularNo.A-119,FederalParticipationinDevelopment&UseofVoluntaryConsensusStandards&inConformityAssessmentActivities
2.MemorandumfortheHeadsofExecutiveDepartmentsandAgencies(2012)
3.TechnicalStandardsforNASAProgramsandProjects,NPR7120.10(2011)
4.TheU.S.MaterialsGenomeInitiative(2011)
Thisprojecthasenabledthedevelopmentandpublicationoftwonewinternationalstandardsonthesubjectofbelow-ambient(andcryogenic)thermalinsulationsystems,materials,andtesting.
Thermalinsulationplaysasignificantandsometimesenablingroleincryogenicsystems.TheemergingcryofuelsenterprisesincludingLNGandLH2areaparticularchallengeduetothetransienttypeoperationalprocessestobeaddressesandthecompetitiveeconomictargetstobemet.Thenewtechnicalconsensusstandardsarebutonesteptowardprovidingstandardthermalperformancedatatosupportthedesignpracticesforcryogenicsystems.Benchmarkthermalperformancedataprovidedbythenewpatentedtestinstruments,includingeffectivethermalconductivityandheatflux,canultimatelybeusedtocalibratecomparativetypeinstrumentsandsupportdetailedstudiesofinsulationsystemdesignsforspecificapplications.Atleast10futuretechnicalconsensusstandardsareplannedforbothtestmethodsandmaterialspracticestosupportthecryogenicindustryandfurthertheproliferationofnewindustrialopportunitiesintheareasoftransportationandenergy.
CompletedProject(2013-2014)
CryogenicInsulationStandardDataandMethodologiesProjectCenterIndependentResearch&Developments:KSCIRADProgram|MissionSupportDirectorate(MSD)
Formoreinformationvisittechport.nasa.govSomeNASAtechnologyprojectsaresmaller(forexampleSBIR/STTR,NIACandCenter
InnovationFund),andwillhavelesscontentthanother,largerprojects.Newlycreatedprojectsmaynotyethavedetailedprojectinformation. Printed7/27/2015
Page5
DETAILEDDESCRIPTION
Althoughsomestandardsexistforthermalinsulation,fewaddressthesub-ambienttemperaturerangeandcold-sidetemperaturesbelow100K.Standardsforcryogenicinsulationsystemsrequirecryostattestinganddataanalysisthatwillallowthedevelopmentofthetoolsneededbydesignengineersandthermalanalystsforthedesignofpracticalcryogenicsystems.Thus,thiscriticallyimportantinformationcanprovidereliabledataandmethodologiesforindustrialefficiencyandenergyconservation.
TheneedsfortechnicalstandardsforthermalinsulationsystemsaregrowingintheUSandworldwide.Energyefficiencyandconservationneeds--ofwhichthermalinsulationsystemsareakeypart--areatoppriorityforeconomic,nationalsecurity,andtechnologicalconcerns.Theemphasisontechnicalconsensusstandardsisacleardirectivefrombothgovernmentpolicyandmarketeconomicdrivers.
Summarizedherearethemostrecentandrelevantgovernmentpolicydirectivestoencouragetechnicalstandardsdevelopmentandenergyefficiencytechnologyimplementation.ThereferencefederalagencyisNASAandthetargetsubjectareaisthermalinsulationsystemsforlow-temperatureapplications.Hereisalistoftherelevantdocuments:
1. OMBCircularNo.A-119,FederalParticipationintheDevelopmentandUseofVoluntaryConsensusStandardsandinConformityAssessmentActivities.
2. MemorandumfortheHeadsofExecutiveDepartmentsandAgencies,documentM-12-08datedJanuary17,2012.
3. NPR7120.10,TechnicalStandardsforNASAProgramsandProjects,EffectiveDate:April22,2011.
OnFebruary4,2011,thePresidentreleasedAStrategyforAmericanInnovation:SecuringOurEconomicGrowthandProsperityanddirectedFederalagenciestoincreasetheireffortstocatalyzetechnologybreakthroughstoadvancenationalpriorities.PursuanttotheStrategyforAmericanInnovation,theOfficeofScienceandTechnologyPolicy(OSTP),theOfficeofManagementandBudget(OMB),andtheOfficeoftheUnitedStatesTradeRepresentative(USTR)aretheMemorandumfortheHeadsofExecutiveDepartmentsandAgencieswasissuedtoclarifyprinciplesguidingFederalGovernmentengagementinstandardsactivitiesthatcanhelpaddressnationalpriorities.
ThisR&Dprojectwasformulatedinresponsetotheseagencyandnationalobjectivesfortechnical
CompletedProject(2013-2014)
CryogenicInsulationStandardDataandMethodologiesProjectCenterIndependentResearch&Developments:KSCIRADProgram|MissionSupportDirectorate(MSD)
Formoreinformationvisittechport.nasa.govSomeNASAtechnologyprojectsaresmaller(forexampleSBIR/STTR,NIACandCenter
InnovationFund),andwillhavelesscontentthanother,largerprojects.Newlycreatedprojectsmaynotyethavedetailedprojectinformation. Printed7/27/2015
Page6
standards.ApreliminaryInter-LaboratoryStudyoffoaminsulationmaterialswasconductedbyNASAKennedySpaceCenter(KSC)andLeTourneauUniversity(LETU).Theinitialfocuswasambientpressure(novacuum)cryogenicboilofftestingusingtwoidenticalCryostat-400flat-plateinstruments.CompletionofanewtestfacilityatLETUhasenabledcomparativetesting,usingsimilarmethods,andtheproductionofstandardthermaldatasetsforcellularglassinsulationmaterialundercryogenicconditions.TestmeasurementsweremadeatbothKSCandLETUforcomparativeanalysis.Theresultsshowreasonableagreementbetweenthetwolaboratories.Theseinitialmeasurementsweremadeattheapproximateboundarytemperaturesof293Kand78K,theresultsofwhicharereportedincomparativeeffectivethermalconductivity(comparativeke)andmeanheatflux(q).
Themainchallengeistheproductionofstandardizedthermaldatasetsforcryogenicinsulationmaterialsandsystems.Thisprojecttookupthechallengeandmadeprogressinthreeways.Thefirstwastoproduceacatalogedsetofreferencetestspecimensofcellularglassmaterial.Othermaterialshavebeenidentifiedforfuturereferencetestspecimens.Secondwastoconductapreliminaryinterlaboratorystudyofthecellularglassmaterialusingthesameequipmentandmethods(Cryostat-400instrument).Thethirdwaywastoshowthepracticalityofusingboiloffcalorimetrytoobtainthermaldataforstack-upsofdifferentmaterials(compositepanelsandinsulationmaterialsalike).Theboiloffmethod,beingadirectmeasureofheatenergy,provideseffectivetestsolutionswhereotherexistingcommercialmethodsfallshortorarenotpossible.
Inconjunctionwiththisproject,twonewstandardsoncryogenicinsulationwererecentlypublishedbyASTMInternational:C1774andC740.FollowingtherequirementsofNPR7120.10,TechnicalStandardsforNASAProgramsandProjects,theappropriateinformationinthisreportcanbeprovidedtotheNASAChiefEngineerasinputforNASA'sannualreporttoNIST,asrequiredbyOMBCircularNo.A-119,describingNASA'suseofvoluntaryconsensusstandardsandparticipationinthedevelopmentofvoluntaryconsensusstandardsandbodies.Furtherstandardsintheareaofcryogenicinsulationsystemshavebeentargetedforfuturedevelopment.
ThisprojectinvolvedanumberoftasksthatweresynergeticwithotherprojectsunderAdvancedExplorationSystems,CenterInnovationFund,GameChangingTechnology,andothers.ComplianceissuesassociatedwithPVSsystemsrequirementswasamajorhitonresourcesin2013thusmakingthisleveragingamongprojectscrucialforthiswork.ThreeNewTechnologyReports,threepeer-reviewedpublications,andonefullpatentapplicationwerealsoproducedinconjunctionwiththisproject.Additonalpublicationsandpatentsarepending.
CompletedProject(2013-2014)
CryogenicInsulationStandardDataandMethodologiesProjectCenterIndependentResearch&Developments:KSCIRADProgram|MissionSupportDirectorate(MSD)
Formoreinformationvisittechport.nasa.govSomeNASAtechnologyprojectsaresmaller(forexampleSBIR/STTR,NIACandCenter
InnovationFund),andwillhavelesscontentthanother,largerprojects.Newlycreatedprojectsmaynotyethavedetailedprojectinformation. Printed7/27/2015
Page7
U.S.StatesWithWork LeadCenter:KennedySpaceCenter
U.S.LOCATIONSWORKINGONTHISPROJECT
SupportingCenters:
AmesResearchCenterGlennResearchCenterMarshallSpaceFlightCenter
OtherOrganizationsPerformingWork:
LetourneauUniversity(Longview,TX)
CompletedProject(2013-2014)
CryogenicInsulationStandardDataandMethodologiesProjectCenterIndependentResearch&Developments:KSCIRADProgram|MissionSupportDirectorate(MSD)
Formoreinformationvisittechport.nasa.govSomeNASAtechnologyprojectsaresmaller(forexampleSBIR/STTR,NIACandCenter
InnovationFund),andwillhavelesscontentthanother,largerprojects.Newlycreatedprojectsmaynotyethavedetailedprojectinformation. Printed7/27/2015
Page8
PROJECTLIBRARY
ConferencePapers
Cylindricalboiloffcalorimetersfortestingofthermalinsulations(https://techport.nasa.gov:443/file/16549)
Flatplateboiloffcalorimetersfortestingofthermalinsulationsystems(https://techport.nasa.gov:443/file/16550)
PeerReviewedPapers
Cryogenicinsulationstandarddataandmethodologies(https://techport.nasa.gov:443/file/16551)
StandardizationinCryogenicInsulationSystemsTestingandPerformanceData(https://techport.nasa.gov:443/file/16552)
Publications
ASTMC1774-StandardGuideforThermalPerformanceTestingofCryogenicInsulationSystems
(http://www.astm.org/Standards/C1774.htm)
ASTMC740-StandardGuideforEvacuatedReflectiveInsulationInCryogenicService(http://www.astm.org/Standards/C740.htm)
ContributingPartners:
NISTLetourneauUniversityUniversityofCentralFlorida(UCF)ASTMInternational
CompletedProject(2013-2014)
CryogenicInsulationStandardDataandMethodologiesProjectCenterIndependentResearch&Developments:KSCIRADProgram|MissionSupportDirectorate(MSD)
Formoreinformationvisittechport.nasa.govSomeNASAtechnologyprojectsaresmaller(forexampleSBIR/STTR,NIACandCenter
InnovationFund),andwillhavelesscontentthanother,largerprojects.Newlycreatedprojectsmaynotyethavedetailedprojectinformation. Printed7/27/2015
Page9
DETAILSFORTECHNOLOGY1
TechnologyTitle
Cryogenicthermalinsulationsystems
TechnologyDescription
Thistechnologyiscategorizedasahardwaresystemforgroundscientificresearchoranalysis
Thecloserelationshipbetweenindustrialenergyuseandcryogenicsdrivestheneedforoptimizedthermalinsulationsystems.Emergingcryofuelsusageisenabledbyadequateisolationoftheliquidhydrogenorliquefiednaturalgasfromtheambientenvironment.Thermalperformancedataforthetotalinsulationsystem,asrendered,areessentialforbothengineeringdesignsandcost-benefitdecisionsinvolvingcomparisonsamongalternatives.Thesedataareobtainedthroughrigoroustestingwithsuitableapparatusandrepeatablemethods.Properlydefinedterminology,analysis,andreportingarealsovital.AdvancesincryogenicinsulationtestapparatusandmethodshaveledtotherecentadditionoftwonewtechnicalstandardsofASTMInternational:C1774-StandardGuideforThermalPerformanceTestingofCryogenicInsulationSystemsandC740-StandardGuideforEvacuatedReflectiveCryogenicInsulation.Amongthedifferenttechniquesdescribedinthenewstandardsisthecylindricalboiloffcalorimeterforabsoluteheatmeasurementoverthefullrangeofvacuumpressureconditions.Thedetailsofthisapparatus,testmethod,anddataanalysisaregiven.Benchmarkthermalperformancedata,includingeffectivethermalconductivity(ke)andheatflux(q)fortheboundarytemperaturesof293Kand77K,aregivenforanumberofdifferentmultilayerinsulation(MLI)systemsincomparisonwithdataforothercommonly-usedinsulationsystemsincludingperlitepowder,fiberglass,polyurethanefoam,andaerogels.
CapabilitiesProvided
ThroughASTMInternational,CommitteeC16onThermalInsulation,twonewstandardswererecentlypublished:ASTMC1774-StandardGuideforThermalPerformanceTestingofCryogenicInsulationSystems(2013)andASTMC740-StandardGuideforEvacuatedReflectiveCryogenicInsulation(2014).Bothstandardsarecomprehensiveguidesthatprovidethenecessaryterminology,analyticalapproaches,andreportingrequirementsforthetechnologyareaofcryogenicinsulationsystems.Advancesintestapparatus,methods,andmaterialshaveprovidedafoundationforthesenewstandards.
CompletedProject(2013-2014)
CryogenicInsulationStandardDataandMethodologiesProjectCenterIndependentResearch&Developments:KSCIRADProgram|MissionSupportDirectorate(MSD)
Formoreinformationvisittechport.nasa.govSomeNASAtechnologyprojectsaresmaller(forexampleSBIR/STTR,NIACandCenter
InnovationFund),andwillhavelesscontentthanother,largerprojects.Newlycreatedprojectsmaynotyethavedetailedprojectinformation. Printed7/27/2015
Page10
TheC1774Guidecoversdifferentapproachestobothboiloffcalorimetryandelectricalpowermethodsofforthermalperformancemeasurementinsub-ambienttemperatureenvironments.Thetestapparatuses(apparatus)designedforthesepurposesaredividedintotwocategories:boiloffcalorimetryandelectricalpower.Bothabsoluteandcomparativeapparatusesmethodsareincluded.Thesetestingapproachesmethodsareapplicabletothemeasurementofawidevarietyofspecimens,rangingfromopaquesolidstoporousortransparentmaterials,andawiderangeofenvironmentalconditionsincludingmeasurementsconductedatextremesoftemperatureandwithvariousgasesandoverarangeofpressures.Ofparticularimportanceistheabilitytotesthighlyanisotropicmaterialsandsystemssuchasmultilayerinsulation(MLI)systems.Theguideprovidesinformationforthelaboratorymeasurementofthesteady-statethermaltransmissionpropertiesandheatfluxofthermalinsulationsystemsundercryogenicconditions.Thermalinsulationsystemsmaybecomposedofoneormorematerialsthatmaybehomogeneousornon-homogeneous;flat,cylindrical,orspherical;atboundaryconditionsfrom4to400K;andinenvironmentsfromhighvacuumtoanambientpressureofairorresidualgas.Akeyaspectofthisguideisthenotionofaninsulationsystem,notaninsulationmaterial.Underthepracticaluseenvironmentofmostcryogenicapplicationsevenasingle-materialsystemcanstillbeacomplexinsulationsystem.
TheC740guidecoversthebaselineheatfluxorthermalconductivitydata,performanceconsiderations,typicalapplications,manufacturingmethods,materialspecification,andsafetyconsiderationsintheuseofMLIsystemsincryogenicservice.Thetechnologyofevacuatedreflectiveinsulation,orMLI,firstcameaboutinthe1950sand1960sprimarilydrivenbytheneedtoliquefy,store,andtransportlargequantitiesofliquidhydrogenandliquidhelium.MLIsystemsofteninvolvewarmboundarytemperaturesintherangeof300Korhigherandcoldboundarytemperaturesrangingfrom4Kto111K,butanytemperaturebelowambientisapplicable.Insulationsystemsofthisconstructionareusedwhenheatfluxvalueswellbelow10W/m2areneededforanevacuateddesign.Heatfluxvaluesapproaching0.1W/m2arealsoachievable.Forcomparisonamongdifferentsystems,aswellasforspaceandweightconsiderations,theeffectivethermalconductivityofthesystemcanbecalculatedforaspecifictotalthickness.Effectivethermalconductivitiesoflessthan1mW/m-K[R-value143]aretypicalandvaluesontheorderof0.01mW/m-Khavebeenachieved[R-value14,300].Thermalperformancecanalsobedescribedintermsoftheeffectiveemittanceofthesystem,orΕe.Thesesystemsaretypicallyusedinahighvacuumenvironment(evacuated),butsoftvacuumornovacuumenvironmentsarealsoapplicable.Aweldedmetal,vacuum-jacketed(VJ)enclosureisoftenusedtoprovidethevacuumenvironment.MLIsystemsaregenerallyusedwhenlowerheatleakageratesthanthoseobtainedwithotherevacuatedinsulationsarerequired.Otherevacuatedinsulationsinclude,forexample,
CompletedProject(2013-2014)
CryogenicInsulationStandardDataandMethodologiesProjectCenterIndependentResearch&Developments:KSCIRADProgram|MissionSupportDirectorate(MSD)
Formoreinformationvisittechport.nasa.govSomeNASAtechnologyprojectsaresmaller(forexampleSBIR/STTR,NIACandCenter
InnovationFund),andwillhavelesscontentthanother,largerprojects.Newlycreatedprojectsmaynotyethavedetailedprojectinformation. Printed7/27/2015
Page11
perlitepowder,glassbubbles,oraerogelbulk-fill,whichcanprovideheatfluxvaluesintherangeof5to20W/m2.ThechoiceforanMLIsystemmaybedictatedbythevalueofthecryogenicfluidbeingisolatedorbyweightorthicknesslimitationsimposedbytheparticularapplication.Applicationsgenerallyfallintothefollowingcategories:storage,transfer,thermalprotection,andlow-temperatureprocesses.Verylowtemperature(4Kandbelow)refrigerationforlarge-scalesuperconductingmagnets,RFcavities,andotherdevicesisamajortechnicalcapabilityforbasicphysicsresearchworld-wide.
PotentialApplications
Potentialapplicationsinlcudebroadusageintheareasoftransportation,energy,coldchainshippingoffoodsandpharmaceuticals,buildingconstruction,thermalmanagementsystems,andgeneralmaterialsscienceresearch.Futuretechnicalconsensusstandardsareenvisionedforbothtestmethodsandmaterialspractices.Specifictestmethodswouldbeformulatedforcylindricalandflatplategeometriescoveringabsoluteandcomparativeapproaches,asrequiredbymutualindustryneeds.Standarddatasetsforspecificmaterialswouldthenbeproducedthrougharoundrobinofcryogenictestingamonglaboratories,thusenablingnewstandardmaterialpractices.Energyefficiency,systemcontrol,andoperationalsafetyareinter-relatedaspectsofdecidingthebestthermalinsulationsystemforaparticularapplication.TheemergingcryofuelsenterprisesincludingLNGandLH2areaparticularchallengeduetothetransienttypeoperationalprocessestobeaddressesandthecompetitiveeconomictargetstobemet.
PerformanceMetrics
Metric Unit Quantity
HeatFlux W/m2 1
ThermalConductivity mW/m-K 0.1
CompletedProject(2013-2014)
CryogenicInsulationStandardDataandMethodologiesProjectCenterIndependentResearch&Developments:KSCIRADProgram|MissionSupportDirectorate(MSD)
Formoreinformationvisittechport.nasa.govSomeNASAtechnologyprojectsaresmaller(forexampleSBIR/STTR,NIACandCenter
InnovationFund),andwillhavelesscontentthanother,largerprojects.Newlycreatedprojectsmaynotyethavedetailedprojectinformation. Printed7/27/2015
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