Solid Hydrogen Experiments for Atomic Propellants


Book Description

This paper presents the results of detailed analyses of the images from experiments that were conducted on the formation of solid hydrogen particles in liquid helium. Solid particles of hydrogen were frozen in liquid helium, and observed with a video camera. The solid hydrogen particle sizes, their agglomerates, and the total mass of hydrogen particles were estimated. Particle sizes of 1.9 to 8 mm (0.075 to 0.315 in.) were measured. The particle agglomerate sizes and areas were measured, and the total mass of solid hydrogen was computed. A total mass of from 0.22 to 7.9 grams of hydrogen was frozen. Compaction and expansion of the agglomerate implied that the particles remain independent particles, and can be separated and controlled. These experiment image analyses are one of the first steps toward visually characterizing these particles, and allow designers to understand what issues must be addressed in atomic propellant feed system designs for future aerospace vehicles.Palaszewski, BryanGlenn Research CenterAEROSPACE VEHICLES; HYDROGEN; SOLID CRYOGENS; IMAGE ANALYSIS; MONATOMIC GASES; ROCKET PROPELLANTS; PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION; FEED SYSTEMS; AGGLOMERATION; LIQUID HELIUM; CRYOGENIC TEMPERATURE
















Solid Hydrogen Experiments for Atomic Propellants


Book Description

This report presents particle formation observations and detailed analyses of the images from experiments that were conducted on the formation of solid hydrogen particles in liquid helium. Hydrogen was frozen into particles in liquid helium, and observed with a video camera. The solid hydrogen particle sizes and the total mass of hydrogen particles were estimated. These newly analyzed data are from the test series held on February 28, 2001. Particle sizes from previous testing in 1999 and the testing in 2001 were similar. Though the 2001 testing created similar particles sizes, many new particle formation phenomena were observed: microparticles and delayed particle formation. These experiment image analyses are some of the first steps toward visually characterizing these particles, and they allow designers to understand what issues must be addressed in atomic propellant feed system designs for future aerospace vehicles.Palaszewski, BryanGlenn Research CenterLIQUID HELIUM; PROPELLANTS; FEED SYSTEMS; MICROPARTICLES; SOLID CRYOGENS; ELEMENTARY PARTICLES; ESTIMATING; IMAGING TECHNIQUES










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