Development of Cryogenic Insulation Material for Liquefied Hydrogen. Experience in Space Programs

Uldis Stirna, Ugis Cabulis, Anda Fridrihsone

Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry

Workshop „Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in Research and Application” , Oct.4-5, 2012, Riga

Development of Cryogenic Insulation Material for Liquefied Hydrogen

• founded in 1946• 120 employees• 32 doctors of science• turnover 2.0 mil. EUR

The main scientific research are based on the beneficial and ecologically balanced technologies aimed at maximum and sustainable usage of the plant biomass potential.

Workshop „Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in Research and Application” , Oct.4-5, 2012, Riga

Development of Cryogenic Insulation Material for Liquefied Hydrogen

Workshop „Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in Research and Application” , Oct.4-5, 2012, Riga

Polymer laboratory Present

EVolution BioPurFil

Polymer laboratory History

•The first activities in polyurethane chemistry in 1964,• In PUR chemistry and technology 40 years,• Main activities in field – PUR from renewable raw materials: tall oil, oxalic acid, different vegetable oils, starch.

Development of Cryogenic Insulation Material for Liquefied Hydrogen

Workshop „Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in Research and Application” , Oct.4-5, 2012, Riga

Polymer laboratory

History Present

Development of Cryogenic Insulation Material for Liquefied Hydrogen

Workshop „Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in Research and Application” , Oct.4-5, 2012, Riga

LH2 & LOX Tank Configuration

for the Upper Stage

Development of Cryogenic Insulation Material for Liquefied Hydrogen

Workshop „Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in Research and Application” , Oct.4-5, 2012, Riga

Cryogenic Insulation Requirements• Thermal: heat flux < 0.2 W/m² h minimized boil-off mass low

therm.conductivity especcially in cryogenic regime required.• Resistance against aerothermal heating: > 10kW/m² & higher no significant

degradation low flammability self extinguishing.• Thermal expansion: difference in thermal expansion of substrates and

insulation shall be low.• Cryo-pumping: low or negligible influenced by morphological structure• Mechanical properties:

- Tensile strength (avoid crack formation due to thermal and pressure loads),- Compressive strength difficult in cryo regime,- Shear strength loads from flow field in outer layer and I/F to substrate.

• Permeability: limit concentration of hazardous gases and those which can degrade thermal performance compatibility to purging gases (He + N2).

• Mass & volume: m< 2.2kg/m², thickness < 60mm.• Other requirements: pollution during ground & flight recurring costs.

Development of Cryogenic Insulation Material for Liquefied Hydrogen

Workshop „Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in Research and Application” , Oct.4-5, 2012, Riga

External Tank

Insulation Cryogenic Resistance

SOFI Material Deffects

SOFI Material Morphology

Chemical Structure and Mc of Foam

Material Polymer Matrix

Foams Mechanical and Thermal Properties

Thermal Stresses and Thermal Strain Properties

Thermal and Diffusion Properties (Cryopumping)

SOFI Material Technological Parameters

Development of Cryogenic Insulation Material for Liquefied Hydrogen

Workshop „Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in Research and Application” , Oct.4-5, 2012, Riga

0

0,5

1

1,5

2

0 500 1000 1500Mc

Tens

ile s

tren

gth,

MPa

296 K 77 K

Conv

entio

nal P

U fo

ams

Mc influence on mechanical characteristics

Development of Cryogenic Insulation Material for Liquefied Hydrogen

Workshop „Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in Research and Application” , Oct.4-5, 2012, Riga

0

10

20

30

0 500 1000 1500Mc

Elon

gatio

n at

bre

ak, %

296 K 77 K

Conventional PU foams

Mc influence on mechanical characteristics

Development of Cryogenic Insulation Material for Liquefied Hydrogen

Workshop „Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in Research and Application” , Oct.4-5, 2012, Riga

012345

0 500 1000 1500

KS

Mc

Conventional foams

Mc influence on mechanical characteristics Cryogenic foams

Ks = e77 / Dl77-300

Development of Cryogenic Insulation Material for Liquefied Hydrogen

Workshop „Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in Research and Application” , Oct.4-5, 2012, Riga

-

+

The middle layer during the flight should perform mainly the functions of a good thermal insulation material

The layer adjacent to the metal (the cold part), are especially important – this layer should be capable of resisting the tensile stress, which arises as the LH2 tank is fuelled

The upper layer of spray PUR performs mainly the heat protection functions

Development of Cryogenic Insulation Material for Liquefied Hydrogen

Workshop „Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in Research and Application” , Oct.4-5, 2012, Riga

Thermal Conductance Measurements at Cryogenic Temperatures

Sample 1 Sample 2

Heater Plate

Calorymeter

Cryostat

Liquid Hydrogen

Development of Cryogenic Insulation Material for Liquefied Hydrogen

Workshop „Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in Research and Application” , Oct.4-5, 2012, Riga

Cooperation with EADS Astrium GmbH since 2005, the following common projects were done:

2005No. M15/4500089060Feasibility Study on Cryogenic Insulation materials and Technologies

Development of Cryogenic Insulation Material for Liquefied Hydrogen

Workshop „Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in Research and Application” , Oct.4-5, 2012, Riga

2006 - 07No. 06/ASTRIUM GmbH / Latvian C3B / 0001Feasibility Study , Preparation of the First Feasability Tests

2007 - 08No. 07/ASTRIUM GmbH / Latvian C3B / 0001C3B – Technologies for re-ignitable cryogenic upper stages, Internal Insulation (ITI)

2006No. 06/EADS-ST GmbH/ Latvian / 1 / D.2371.01Bacground study

2009 - 10No. 09/ASTRIUM GmbH / LSIWC-Success/0001Continuation of External Cryogenic Insulation (ETI) Development

2007 - 08No. 07/ASTRIUM GmbH / Latvian C3B / 0002External Thermal Insulation (ETI)

Development of Cryogenic Insulation Material for Liquefied Hydrogen

Workshop „Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in Research and Application” , Oct.4-5, 2012, Riga15

15

Development of Cryogenic Insulation Material for Liquefied Hydrogen

Workshop „Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in Research and Application” , Oct.4-5, 2012, Riga

Development of Cryogenic Insulation Material for Liquefied Hydrogen

Workshop „Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in Research and Application” , Oct.4-5, 2012, Riga

Thank you for attention !