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
Page12
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