Experimental Study Under Ground-Hold Conditions of Several Insulation Systems for Liquid-Hydrogen Fuel Tanks of Launch Vehicles.

摘要

Three proposed insulation systems that may be applied externally to the liquid-hydrogen fuel tank of launch vehicles were investigated under ground-hold conditions to determine the application feasibility to flight-weight tanks. Experimental data were obtained on the thermal performance of an uninsulated tank and of tanks with three different insulation systems. These were (1) sealed corkboard bonded to the tank, (2) sealed and evacuated polyurethane foam held in place on the tank with a constrictive wrap of prestressed nylon strands, and (3) sealed and evacuated polyurethane foam with a film of liquid nitrogen sprayed on the external surface.