Development of a para-orthohydrogen catalytic converter for a solid hydrogen coolerDesign features of a tested catalytic converter for altering vented cryogenic parahydrogen used as a coolant on spacecraft into a para-ortho equilibrium for channeling to other cooling functions are described. The hydrogen is expected to be stored in either liquid or solid form. A high surface area Ni-on-Si catalyst was selected for tests at an operating pressure of 2 torr at a ratio of 1000 gr catalyst for a gr/sec hydrogen flow. Cylindrical and radial flow geometries were tried and measurements centered on the converter efficiencies at different operating temperatures when the converter was placed in the vent line of the H2 cooler. Efficiencies ranging from 10-100 percent were obtained for varying flow rates. Further testing is necessary to characterize the converter performance under a wider range of operating temperatures and environments.
Document ID
19850044369
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Nast, T. C. (Lockheed Missiles and Space Co. Palo Alto, CA, United States)
Hsu, I. C. (Lockheed Research Laboratories Palo Alto, CA, United States)