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.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    High pressure cryogenic composite tank qualification


    Contributors:


    Publication date :

    2000


    Size :

    10 Seiten


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English




    Composite cryogenic propellant tank development

    Robinson, M.J. | Tema Archive | 1994



    Insulation Qualification Studies for Cryogenic Rockets

    Sameen, A / Sanal Kumar, VR / Kim, HD et al. | AIAA | 2005


    Reinforcing Liner For Composite Cryogenic Tank

    Burgeson, John E. | NTRS | 1990


    Cryogenic tank

    SIMPSON JAMES EDWARD | European Patent Office | 2019

    Free access