Hydrogen-Helium Leak Detection at Elevated Pressures and Low Temperatures

摘要

Hydrogen is widely used as a primary fuel source for rocket engines due to its beneficial combustion properties. Compared with hydrocarbon reactions, hydrogen-oxygen combustion produces high engine specific impulse. Hydrogen is also readily storable in the condensed phase, yet its low flammability limit and low ignition energy make hydrogen potentially explosive when leaked into an oxidizing environment. Because of this potential hazard, the development of accurate hydrogen leak-detection techniques is critical for rocket engine testing and operation, in addition to the development of hydrogen fuel cell and other hydrogen-based energy systems.