Analyzing the Use of Gaseous Helium as a Pressurant with Cryogenic Propellants with Thermodynamic Venting System Modelling and Test Data

Cryogens are viable candidate propellants for NASA's Lunar and Mars exploration programs. To provide adequate mass flow to the system's engines and/or prevent feed system cavitation, gaseous helium (GHe) is frequently considered as a pressurant. A Thermodynamic Venting System (TVS) is designed to maintain tank pressure during low gravity operations without propellant resettling. Tests were conducted in the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Multi-purpose Hydrogen Test Bed (MHTB) to evaluate the effects of GHe pressurant on pressure control performance of a TVS with liquid hydrogen (LH2) and nitrogen (LN2) test liquids. The TVS used comprises a recirculation pump, a Joule-Thomson (J-T) expansion valve, and a parallel flow concentric tube heat exchanger combined with a longitudinal spray bar. A small amount of liquid extracted from the tank recirculation line was passed through the J-T valve and then through the heat exchanger, extracting thermal energy from the bulk liquid and ullage and thereby enabling ...