Prototype Storage and Delivery Device for Cryogenic Solid Hydrogen Propellants-A

ORBITEC proposes to develop a means to produce and utilize cyrogenic solid-based hydrogen fuels in a combustion chamber. Controlled freezing from the gaseous phase at or below the triple point assures uniform solid phase formation directly from gaseous phase. The vapor pressure of hydrogen is negligible at temperatures below 10K (< 0.1psi), and sublimation rates would be negligibly slow. We propose to accomplish the hydrogen solidification by means of an LHe chilled heat sink and to control the rate of solidification by the hydrogen delivery pressure, liquid helium flow rate, and surface area condition. During Phase I, the solidification process will be demonstrated with existing, new, and/or modified hardware. During Phase II, we will integrate into the Phase I hardware design the capability for combining energetic atoms with the solid hydrogen to form a high-energy-density solid. Additionally, a Phase II test-bed storage and delivery device (5-lb, thrust engine) will be designed, developed, tested, delivered, and integrated at the USAF/PL Propulsion Laboratory at Edwards AFB.