Cryogenic Insulation Technology

Cryogenic Thermal Insulation Systems 16th Thermal and Fluids Analysis Workshop Orlando, Florida August 9, 2005

James E. Fesmire Stan D. Augustynowicz Cryogenics Test Laboratory NASA Kennedy Space Center

Aug 2005

CryoTestLab

1

Outline „ „ „ „ „

Aug 2005

Introduction Part 1, Materials Part 2, Testing Part 3, Applications Conclusion

CryoTestLab

2

INTRODUCTION

HEAT IS THE ENEMY

Two things about cryogenics „

Store a lot of stuff in a small space ‹

„

Energy density

Use the cold temperature to do something useful ‹

Refrigeration

Space launch and exploration is an energy intensive endeavor; cryogenics is an energy intensive discipline. Aug 2005

CryoTestLab

5

Cryogenics now touches on nearly every aspect of modern society „ „ „ „ „ „ „

Aug 2005

Food Health and medicine Energy Transportation Manufacturing Research Aerospace CryoTestLab

6

Cryogenics on Earth and in space „

„

„

Aug 2005

Cryogens must be stored, handled, and transferred in safe and effective ways Cryogenic usage and application is being extended to the rest of the world in the first half this century People working in cryogenics are becoming more and more specialized CryoTestLab

7

For progress and efficiency st into the 21 century, high performance thermal insulation systems are needed….

Aug 2005

CryoTestLab

8

Energy Efficiency on Earth „

Spaceport facilities ‹

Energy integrated launch site 

Propulsion + Power + Life Support

Advanced transfer and storage methods ‹ Propellants and gases production ‹ Novel components and instrumentation ‹ New material applications ‹ Thermal insulation structures ‹

„

Aug 2005

Cost-efficient storage and transfer of cryogens CryoTestLab

9

Energy Efficiency in Space „

Space exploration ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹

„

Aug 2005

In-space depots Moon base Mars base Other destinations

Mass-efficient storage and transfer of cryogens

CryoTestLab

10

Energy Efficiency for Industry „

Industry Hydrogen Transportation ‹ Superconducting Power ‹ Processes & Applications ‹

Aug 2005

CryoTestLab

11

Thermal Insulation Systems „

System Integrated Approach Active + Passive ‹ Hot Side + Cold Side ‹

„

Energy and Economics Perspective Performance must justify the cost ‹ Save $$ on energy bill ‹

„

Two Things About Insulation Conserve energy (or mass) ‹ Provide control of system ‹

Aug 2005

CryoTestLab

12

PART 1 MATERIALS

Background „

Historical perspective D’Arsonval in 1887 to Peterson in 1951 ‹ WW II to H2 bomb to Apollo ‹

„

Conventional materials ‹

„

Perlite to multilayer to foam

Novel materials Aerogels to sol-gel aerogels ‹ Composites old and composites new ‹

Aug 2005

CryoTestLab

14

Basics about Materials „

„ „

Aug 2005

Three Basic Forms ‹ Bulk Fill ‹ Foams ‹ Layered Basic Design Factors Definitions: k-value and CVP

CryoTestLab

15

Bulk-Fill Cryogenic Insulation Materials

Aug 2005

CryoTestLab

16

New Materials „ „

„ „

„ „

Aug 2005

Cabot, aerogel beads (Nanogel®) Aspen Aerogels, aerogel blankets (Pyrogel® and Spaceloft®) Sordal, polyimide foams (SOLREX®) Inspec Foams, polyimide foams (SOLIMIDE®) TAI, pipe insulation panels NASA, Layered Composite Insulation (LCI) CryoTestLab

17

Performance „ „ „

Price versus performance R5 or R1500, its your (extreme) choice Overall Efficiency, four basic factors: 1. Thermal conductivity ‹ 2. Vacuum level ($$$) ‹ 3. System density or weight ‹ 4. Cost of labor ($$) and materials ($) ‹

Aug 2005

CryoTestLab

18

1. Thermal Conductivity „

Material thermal conductivity ‹ ‹ ‹

„

Apparent thermal conductivity ‹ ‹

„

k-value Real systems with large temperature differences

Overall k-value for actual field installation ‹ ‹

Aug 2005

milliWatt per meter-Kelvin [mW/m-K] R-value per inch [hr-ft2-degF/Btu-in] 1 mW/m-K = R144

koafi Often one order of magnitude (or more!) higher than reported ideal or laboratory k-values CryoTestLab

19

Thermal Insulating Performance of Various Materials MLI System at HV LCI System at HV Aerogel Beads at HV LCI System at SV MLI System at SV Aerogel Composite Blanket Polyurethane Foam Fiberglass Cork Oak Board Ice Whale Blubber Concrete Stainless Steel Pure Copper 0.01

0.1

1

10

100

1000

10000

Thermal Conductivity (milliWatt per meter-Kelvin)

100000

1000000

Representative k-values Material and Density Vacuum, polished surfaces

HV