Revolutionary technology for composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPV) for service at -423 degree F has been demonstrated as a part of the X-33 program. In order to provide weight saving technology in X-33, a heated helium liquid oxygen tank pressurization system was selected to replace the traditional pressurization system of heated oxygen. This system requires cryogenic high-pressure helium pressurant storage. The required helium is stored in multiple tanks installed within the vehicle LH2 tanks. The helium is fed from these cryogenic storage tanks through a heat exchanger in the engines and used to pressurize the liquid oxygen tank. Metallic storage tanks were baselined because lightweight composite tank technology was not available. The use of this helium pressurant system yields a 342 lb. weight savings over traditional heated oxygen systems. Under an initiative by Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Michoud Operations (LM-Michoud), patented composite over-wrapped, titanium lined high pressure pressurant tanks were tested and qualified for X-33 flight as cryogenic helium storage tanks. Specifically, they were multi-cycle tested in liquid hydrogen using pressures from 3200 psi up to two times the maximum expected operating pressure (MEOP) of 6400 psi without failure or any measurable degradation. This success saved the X-33 program an additional 90 lbs. (432 lb. total system weight savings) over metal tanks and qualified LM-Michoud composite high-pressure helium tanks for cryogenic environments. The potential weight savings by replacing metal pressurant tanks with composite on a full size re-useable launch vehicle could be over 500 lbs. This now opens up cryogenic pressurant systems for all applications to lighter weight composite alternatives.
High pressure cryogenic composite tank qualification
2000
10 Seiten
Conference paper
English
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