REG NASA-LLIS-4058-2011 Lessons Learned - Use of Propellant Grade Commodities for Fuel Cell Powerplants.pdf

1、Public Lessons Learned Entry: 4058 Lesson Info: Lesson Number: 4058 Lesson Date: 2010-09-20 Submitting Organization: KSC Submitted by: Annette Pitt Subject: Use of Propellant Grade Commodities for Fuel Cell Powerplants Abstract: Space Shuttle Alkaline Fuel Cell Powerplants (FCPs) use O2 and H2 as re

2、actants. These FCPs require higher grade LH2 and LO2 (99.99% and 99.989% purity levels, respectively) than Space Shuttle Main Engines (99.9% LH2 and 99.2% LO2). Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) FCPs have been developed that can use propellant grade reactants. This means that a common liquid oxygen and

3、 liquid hydrogen system could potentially be designed for both propulsion and electrical power generation requirements as well as for Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS). This would simplify cryogenic loading operations by getting rid of extra pad clears and load operations for the

4、 FCP Power Reactant Storage and Distribution (PRSD) system and potentially consolidating into one “cryo load.“ In addition, if propellant grade reactants were used for Lunar or Mars surface lander FCPs, the FCPs could scavenge the residual propellants for use in the FCP (assuming that any pressurant

5、 such as Helium could be removed from the propellant tanks. Description of Driving Event: During Constellation Program Altair Lunar Surface Access Module design discussions, this issue was discussed as a potential method to lower cost and mass that must be carried. It was also raised as a goal durin

6、g KSC FCP/PRSD engineer discussions with engineers from other centers while working on fuel cell research projects. Lesson(s) Learned: Although technical issues remain, such as how to effectively eliminate residual pressurants from propellant tanks and how to design the FCP to accommodate for and ef

7、fectively remove the additional impurities that would collect in the fuel cell, there is much merit for designing a FCP system that could use propellant grade reactants. Provided by IHSNot for Resale-,-,-Space Shuttle FCP Space Shuttle PRSD Tank Provided by IHSNot for Resale-,-,-Recommendation(s): I

8、n the future, during the initial design phase for spacecraft that will utilize FCPs, determine if there exist FCPs that can meet design requirements if propellant grade reactants are used. If so, then perform a trade study to determine whether the advantages of doing so warrant such a design. Eviden

9、ce of Recurrence Control Effectiveness: N/A Documents Related to Lesson: N/A Mission Directorate(s): Space Operations Exploration Systems Science Additional Key Phrase(s): Lander Systems Environmental Control and Life Support Systems Crew Survival Systems Mission and systems trade studies Orbiting V

10、ehicles Power Propulsion Spacecraft and Spacecraft Instruments Long term sustainability and maintenance planning Level II/III requirements definition Engineering design and project processes and standards Vehicle concepts Mission concepts and life-cycle planning Planetary entry and landing concepts

11、Spacecraft Crew operations and support concepts Research & Development Pressure Vessels Energy Cryogenic Systems Planetary Operations Lunar Operations Crew Operations Additional Info: Project: Space Shuttle Program Provided by IHSNot for Resale-,-,-Approval Info: Approval Date: 2011-07-22 Approval Name: mbell Approval Organization: HQ Provided by IHSNot for Resale-,-,-