Experimental Investigation of Liquid Helium Pressurization Method for Liquid Propellant Rocket

Abstract

The liquid helium pressurization method using an electric heater makes the pressurization system of a liquid propellant rocket very simple and reliable with reducing the volume and the weight of the pressurant tank. In this pressurization system, the selection of the electric heater arrangement and the heating power is critical to its performance. This paper describes how to arrange the heaters and the effect of the heating power in the liquid helium pressurant tank of the liquid propellant rocket. The experiment was performed to find the proper heater arrangement and the results are discussed. The effect of the heating power on the pressurization performance is also investigated through the experiment.