Project Title:
Cryogenic Pump for Space Applications
09.05-8111
911646
Cryogenic Pump for Space Applications
Barber-Nichols, Inc.
6325 West 55Th Ave
Arvada
CO
80002
Kenneth E.
Nichols
303-421-8111
LeRC
NAS3-26544
187
09.05-8111
911646
Abstract:
Cryogenic Pump for Space Applications
This project concerns a pump designed to handle liquid, vapor, or two-phase flow
in a microgravity environment. The pumping element is a mixed-flow design with a
large axial inducer to reduce approach velocities. This element incorporates vapor
extraction in the eye to prevent vapor blockage of the pump under two-phase flow
conditions. The vapor extraction is accomplished by an ejector design using a small
portion of the pumped fluid for the motive energy. The pumping unit, complete with
motor, can be used in-line or submerged in cryogen for mixer modes or for high-pressure
rise, high-flow transfer modes. The pumping element efficiency should be 85 to 87
percent, and the high power motor, 90 percent. The unit incorporates low-loss rolling
element bearings. The objective of Phase I is to test a pumping element to demonstrate
performance using a two-phase fluid. Motors will be analyzed and a preliminary pump
design completed. The developed pump should perform well at high efficiency with
low parasitic losses. The pumps can be used for mixing or transfer where high efficiency,
low-heat leak is important. The pumps will be compatible with liquid and slush hydrogen
and with other cryogens.
The pumping concept will find applications for circulating and transferring cryogens,
as an industrial process pump handling very low NPSH or two-phase flow applications,
and in seal-less pumps, a rapidly growing segment of the commercial pump business.
cryogenic pump, submersible, two-phase, mixer, transfer