Volume 11, Number 1 • Spring 2003 • Moving Forward

Technology Opportunity Showcase highlights some unique technologies that NASA has developed and which we believe have strong potential for commercial application. While the descriptions provided here are brief, they should provide enough information to communicate the potential applications of the technology. For more detailed information, contact the person listed. Please mention that you read about it in Innovation.

Apparatus and Method for Testing Thermal Performance of Pipelines

NASA seeks to license its Thermal Insulation Performance Analyzer technology and method to private industry. The technology was developed at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Cryogenic Testbed Facility for testing the thermal insulation systems of cryogenic pipelines used in launching the space shuttle.

KSC’s testing technology lends itself very well to the development of an industry-standard apparatus and procedure. The KSC Thermal Insulation Performance Analyzer is fully developed and in use on site.

The hardware includes two cold boxes mounted on each end of a section of pipe with a unique flange and bellows feed-through arrangement to allow for the flow of cryogen. The system can accommodate up to three different pipelines in lengths of 60 feet or longer. Also, this testbed can be easily adapted for dynamic testing using not only cryogens but also chilled water or other working fluids.

In operation, a cryogen coolant is pumped through the upstream cold box into the pipe being tested. Both ends of the pipe are held at a constant temperature, so the heat transfer is eliminated in the axial direction and is limited to the radial direction.

A precise measurement of the rate of heat leak into the process fluid is needed in this process. The technology operates on the theory that the heat leak is equal to the boil-off rate multiplied by the latent heat of vaporization. A heat-leak rate is computed while maintaining the temperature of the cold boxes at the end of the pipe and measuring the boil-off rate. Thermally isolated valves, plumbing and safety devices within the cold boxes allow for convenient and efficient controls and a repeatable procedure. All test measurements are recorded on a field-portable data-acquisition system with a laptop computer.

In the future, superconducting cables may need to be insulated and cooled by liquid nitrogen. Testing of the piping insulation will be necessary to ensure efficient transfer of the electrical energy.

Benefits of the technology are numerous. It enables both static and dynamic testing, while the technology and method are both accurate. In addition, it determines the true performance of the insulation, and it saves costs in cryogenic applications by preventing boil-off and providing process control. Q

For more information, please contact Lynne Henkiel, KSC Industry Liaison,T: 321/867-8130, Lynne.Henkiel-1@ksc.nasa.gov and reference Case Number KSC-12205. Please mention you read about it in Innovation.