Project Title:
Vacuum-Break Safety of Liquid Hydrogen and Helium Tanks
09.05-6010
911390
Vacuum-Break Safety of Liquid Hydrogen and Helium Tanks
Cryogenic Technical Services, Inc.
3445 Penrose Pl, Suite 230
Boulder
CO
80301
Glen E.
Mcintosh
303-444-6010
LeRC
NAS3-26543
186
09.05-6010
911390
Abstract:
Vacuum-Break Safety of Liquid Hydrogen and Helium Tanks
The safety of vacuum-jacketed, cryogenic vessels depends on sizing the vent line
and the relief devices to handle vapor generated due to high heat transfer resulting
from the loss of vacuum. Vacuum jackets of hydrogen and helium tanks can experience
very high air in-flow rates, especially if air condenses on the inner shell. Existing
guidelines from the Compressed Gas Association do not adequately predict vapor flow
under these conditions. There is little experimental heat transfer data to provide
a basis for designing safe venting systems, particularly for dewars insulated with
multi-layer-insulation (MLI). The focus of this project is the development of general
criteria for MLI and alternate tank coatings that prevent air condensation under
vacuum-break conditions. Phase II involves an experimental vacuum-break program with
specially designed hydrogen and helium vessels.
The MLI optimization software and test results would improve the performance and
safety of cryogenic equipment, pipelines, and stationary and mobile cryogenic vessels.
hydrogen, helium, MLI, vacuum-break, heat transfer