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A Reliable, Efficient Cryogenic Propellant Mixing Pump with No Moving Parts

Award Information
Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Branch: N/A
Contract: NNX13CC30P
Agency Tracking Number: 124967
Amount: $124,947.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: H2.01
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2012
Award Year: 2013
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2013-05-23
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2013-11-23
Small Business Information
NH
Hanover, NH 03755-3116
United States
DUNS: 072021041
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Weibo Chen
 Principal Investigator
 (603) 640-2425
 wbc@creare.com
Business Contact
 James Barry
Title: President
Phone: (603) 640-2487
Email: contractsmgr@creare.com
Research Institution
 Stub
Abstract

Refueling spacecraft in space offers tremendous benefits for increased spacecraft payload capacity and reduced launch cost. A key technology challenge for space refueling is the storage of liquid cryogenic fuel in space. To meet this need, we propose to develop a reliable, compact, efficient cryogenic mixing pump with no moving parts. The mixing pump will prevent thermal stratification of the cryogen and simplify pressure control for storage tanks. The mixing pump uses an innovative thermodynamic process to generate fluid jets to promote fluid mixing, eliminating the need for mechanical pumps. Our innovative mechanism will be able to self-prime and generate a high-pressure rise. The device will significantly enhance the reliability of pressure control systems for storage tanks. In Phase I, we will prove the feasibility of our approach through building and testing a proof-of-concept mixing pump and developing an analytical model to optimize the mixing pump design. In Phase II, we will build and test a laboratory-scale cryogenic mixing pump and demonstrate its performance in a representative cryogenic environment.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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