ORTHO-PARA CONVERSION IN SPACE BASED HYDROGEN DEWAR SYSTEMS

A NEW CATALYST CONFIGURATION IS PROPOSED FOR PARA-ORTHO CONVERSION OF HYDROGEN. THIS ENDOTHERMIC REACTION CAN HAVE A SIGNIFICANT REFRIGERATION EFFECT AND IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR LONG TERM CRYOGENIC STORAGE OF LIQUID HYDROGENON-ORBIT. THE PROPOSED EFFORT ENTAILS INVESTIGATION OF; SUITABLE CATALYTIC MATERIALS, FLOW FRICTION FACTOR AND HEAT TRANSFER CORRELATIONS, PROCESSING TRADE STUDIES, AND SYSTEM OPTIMIZATION. THE SPECIFIC INNOVATION LIES IN THE USE OF A HIGH THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY SUPPORT FOR THE CATALYST MATERIAL. THEREFORE, THE HEAT OF CONVERSION CAN BE EFFICIENTLY TRANSFERRED TO THE APPROPRIATE THERMAL STATION. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE PHASE I PROGRAM, A PROTOTYPE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WILL BE DESIGNED.