James E Fesmire

• BME, MS
• Executive Vice President and Chief Architect at GenH2

Insulation systems are critical to liquid hydrogen storage tank performance. Tanks in the capacity range of 100 to 1,000 m ³ are typically shop built and designed with high-vacuum (HV) multi-layer insulation (MLI), whereas storage vessels larger than 1,000 m ³ are typically field-erected and supplied with bulk fill insulation working at moderate va...

Cryogenic engineering (cryogenics) is the production, preservation, and use or application of cold. This book presents a comprehensive introduction to designing systems to deal with heat – effective management of cold, exploring the directing (or redirecting), promoting, or inhibiting this flow of heat in a practical way. It provides a description...

ABSTRACT – Pages 35 During the transfer and storage of cryogens, changes of the temperature, vapor quality, and pressure of the cryogens should be negligibly small. Therefore, minimizing heat flow from the ambient environment to the inner pipe or vessel containing cryogens is crucial. The latest developments and successful examples of the design me...

Clean Energy Future

The first item of discussion is to define the “final pressure in the annular space” for a cryogenic storage tank. The Warm Vacuum Pressure (WVP) is the annular space pressure when the entire system, inner vessel and outer jacket and insulation material, is at approximately ambient temperature. Also, the Hot vacuum Pressure (HVP) is the annular spac...

Graphene nanomaterials have demonstrated simultaneous enhancement of both the thermal and mechanical properties of many base polymer systems, but for application as a reinforcement in multifunctional thermally insulating polymer foam the graphene additive must not significantly increase the macroscopic thermal conductivity. In an effort to study an...

Clean Energy Future

Clean Energy Future

The world's largest liquid hydrogen storage tanks were constructed in the mid-1960s at the NASA Kennedy Space Center. These two vacuum-jacketed, perlite powder insulated tanks, still in service today, have 3,200 m 3 of useable capacity. In 2018, construction began on an additional storage tank at Launch Complex 39B. This new tank will give an addit...

Fesmire J, Low-cost at-scale energy storage, Cold Facts, Cryogenic Society of America, Vol 37, No 3, pp 28-29, June 2021

Hydrogen is considered to be one of the fuels of future and liquid hydrogen (LH2) technology has great potential to become energy commodity beyond LNG. However, for commercial widespread use and feasibility of hydrogen technology, it is of utmost importance to develop cost-effective and safe technologies for storage and transportation of LH2 for us...

Clean Energy Future

Clean Energy Future

Clean Energy Future

Clean Energy Future

Clean Energy Future

Effective storage and transfer of fluid commodities such as oxygen, hydrogen, natural gas, nitrogen, argon, and others is a necessity in many industries and for hosts of different applications. Molecules are typically contained as low pressure, cryogenic liquids; or as high-pressure gases. Liquefied gasses afford high energy and volume densities, b...

The new Cryogenic Flux Capacitor (CFC) technology employs nano-porous aerogel composites to store large quantities of fluid molecules in a physisorbed solid-state condition at moderate pressures and cryogenic temperatures. By its design architecture, a CFC device can be “charged” and “discharged” quickly and on demand according to standby/usage req...

The Macroflash is a flat plate boiloff calorimeter that provides effective thermal conductivity (k e ) data for a wide range of materials from thermal insulation to structural composites to ceramics. The apparatus and method provide a practical, standardized way to measure heat transmission through materials under steady-state conditions at below-a...

Growing interest in liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a rocket fuel necessitates a greater technical understanding of the compositional changes due to preferential boil-off (or weathering) that occurs during long duration storage. The purity of methane in LNG can range from 90 to 98%, and is subject to preferential boil-off due to its low boiling poin...

Clean Energy Future

A test apparatus for evaluating thermal properties of a test specimen across a wide range of thermal conductivities and temperature ranges using a flat plate cup cryostat. The test apparatus includes: a heater assembly having an upper surface to receive a test specimen; a cold plate positioned on top of the test specimen; a vessel comprising an out...

Clean Energy Future

Clean Energy Future

New materials in recent decades have enabled advances in thermal insulation systems for storage and transfer of cryogens. To preserve the cold and achieve efficient cryogenic systems, a combination of materials, testing, and engineering is required. The total heat leak into any cryogenic assembly is comprised of three main parts: 1) heat leak throu...

The feed-through assembly provides for the conveyance of a feed element from one boundary environment to another. The feed-through assembly includes the following components (from bottom to top) each with an axially extending aperture through which at least one feed element passes: lower compression member; packing stack including a plurality of pa...

Various functional insertion components (FIC), directly connecting a cold mass and the ambient environment, are irreplaceable and play crucial technical roles in many superconducting cryogenic applications. However, such components also bring a huge heat leak to the cold mass. The heat leak is usually much greater than that through entire evacuated...

Systematic review is given of development of novel heat switches at cryogenic temperatures that alternatively provide high thermal connection or ideal thermal isolation to the cold mass. These cryogenic heat switches are widely applied in a variety of unique superconducting systems and critical space applications. The following types of heat switch...

Abstract. The cooling power consumption in large scale superconducting systems is huge and cryogenic devices used in space applications often require an extremely long cryogen holding time. To economically maintain the device at its operating temperature and minimize the refrigeration losses, high performance of thermal isolation is essential. The...

Many different aerogel-based materials are now being used in thermal insulation systems for cryogenic applications. These materials include flexible composite blankets, bulk-fill particles, and polymer composites in both evacuated and non-evacuated environments. In ambient environments, aerogels provide superior thermal performance compared to conv...

A cryogenic flux capacitor (CFC) storage system includes a CFC core module having an inner container comprising one of : (i) a vessel ; and (ii) a membrane that contains a substrate material. Fluid paths in the substrate material distribute fluid during charging and discharging. Nanoporous media is attached to the substrate material that receives f...

The human brain is an incredible processor of information which requires a reliable energy supply (fuel to burn). This energy expenditure is also temperature dependent, as the brain's capacity for the management of heat may define its biological architecture as well as its processing capacity.The number of neurons (nerve cells) in one human brain i...

A test apparatus for thermal energy measurement of disk-shaped test specimens has a cold mass assembly locatable within a sealable chamber with a guard vessel having a guard chamber to receive a liquid fluid and a bottom surface to contact a cold side of a test specimen, and a test vessel having a test chamber to receive a liquid fluid and encompas...

Many different aerogel-based materials are now being used in thermal insulation systems for cryogenic applications. These materials include flexible composite blankets, bulk-fill particles, and polymer composites in both evacuated and non-evacuated environments. In ambient environments, aerogels provide superior thermal performance compared to conv...

A thermal management system includes a first substrate having a first conductive inner surface. A second substrate has a second conductive inner surface. A connecting structure is attached to the first and second substrates to space apart the first and second inner surfaces defining an insulating space for a single architecture. One or more passive...

A comparative study was conducted to collect and analyze thermal conductivity data on a wide variety of low density materials, as well as thermal performance data on a number of vacuum-jacketed cryogenic tank systems. Although a vast number of these types of materials and cryogenic tank systems exist, the thermal conductivity of insulation material...

Cryogenic engineering (cryogenics) is the production, preservation, and use of The Cold. Cryogenics is usually taken to mean dealing with "supercold" temperatures, but any temperatures below the ambient can be taken to include the cryogenic range, depending on the application. Definitions vary widely as there are many different applications and use...

Layered Composite Thermal Insulation System for Non-Vacuum Applications (LCX): a durable, light weight, hydrophobic composite insulation system designed to control the heat transfer between a system and the environment on complex piping or tank systems that are difficult or practically impossible to insulate by conventional means.

Described herein is a comprehensive project—a large-scale test of an integrated refrigeration and storage system called the Ground Operations and Demonstration Unit for Liquid Hydrogen (GODU LH2), sponsored by the Advanced Exploration Systems Program and constructed at Kennedy Space Center. A commercial cryogenic refrigerator interfaced with a 125,...

Recent demonstration of advanced liquid hydrogen storage techniques using Integrated Refrigeration and Storage technology at NASA Kennedy Space Center led to the production of large quantities of densified liquid and slush hydrogen in a 125,000 L tank. Production of densified hydrogen was performed at three different liquid levels and LH2 temperatu...

NASA has completed a series of tests at the Kennedy Space Center to demonstrate the capability of using integrated refrigeration and storage (IRAS) to remove energy from a liquid hydrogen (LH2) tank and control the state of the propellant. A primary test objective was the keeping and storing of the liquid in a zero boil-off state, so that the total...

The heat transfer between room temperature and 80 K is controlled using various insulating material combinations. The modes of heat transfer are well established to be conduction and thermal radiation when in a vacuum. Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI) in a vacuum has long been the best approach. Typically this layered system is applied to the cold surf...

Systematic review is given of development of novel heat switches at cryogenic temperatures that alternatively provide high thermal connection or ideal thermal isolation to the cold mass. These cryogenic heat switches are widely applied in a variety of unique superconducting systems and critical space applications. The following types of heat switch...

The main penetrations (supports and piping) through multilayer insulation systems for cryogenic tanks have been previously addressed by heat flow measurements. Smaller penetrations due to fasteners and attachments are now experimentally investigated. The use of small pins or plastic garment tag fasteners to ease the handling and construction of mul...

Extensive cryogenic thermal testing of more than 100 different multilayer insulation (MLI) specimens was performed over the last 20 years for the research and development of evacuated reflective thermal insulation systems. From this data library, 26 MLI systems plus several vacuum-only systems are selected for analysis and comparison. The test appa...

The invention provides new composite materials containing aerogels blended with thermoplastic polymer materials at a weight ratio of aerogel to thermoplastic polymer of less than 20:100. The composite materials have improved thermal insulation ability. The composite materials also have better flexibility and less brittleness at low temperatures tha...

Thermal conductivity of low-density materials in thermal insulation systems varies dramatically with the environment: cold vacuum pressure, residual gas composition, and boundary temperatures. Using a reference material of aerogel composite blanket (reinforcement fibers surrounded by silica aerogel), an experimental basis for the physical heat tran...

Extensive cryogenic thermal testing of dozens of different multilayer insulation (MLI) specimens was performed for the research and development of evacuated reflective thermal insulation systems. The test apparatus, methods, and results enabled the adoption of two new technical consensus standards under ASTM International. Materials tested include...

A test apparatus for thermal energy measurement of disk-shaped test specimens has a cold mass assembly locatable within a sealable chamber with a guard vessel having a guard chamber to receive a liquid fluid and a bottom surface to contact a cold side of a test specimen, and a test vessel having a test chamber to receive a liquid fluid and encompas...

The thermal insulation system of the present invention is for non-vacuum applications and is specifically tailored to the ambient pressure environment with any level of humidity or moisture. The thermal insulation system includes a multilayered composite including i) at least one thermal insulation layer and at least one compressible barrier layer...

A multi-purpose, cylindrical thermal insulation test apparatus is used for testing insulation materials and systems of materials using a liquid boil-off calorimeter system for absolute measurement of the effective thermal conductivity (k-value) and heat flux of a specimen material at a fixed environmental condition (cold-side temperature, warm-side...

The use of boiloff calorimetry has become a practical and useful tool to measure, in a direct way, the thermal insulating performances of materials and systems of materials. The use of boiloff calorimetry to measure the effects of thermal energy (or heat) dates back to the early 1900s [1, 2]. Gas flow rates measured in evaporation-or boiloff-calo-r...

Included are foam hybrid systems with polymeric and fiber aerogel composites for structural and thermal applications where reduction in heat transfer are required for both steady-state and transient thermal management. Development of novel methodologies for testing and evaluation of these unique systems are also important in covering the technology...

Thermal insulation systems operating in below-ambient temperature conditions are inherently susceptible to moisture intrusion and vapor drive toward the cold side. The subsequent effects may include condensation, icing, cracking, corrosion, and other problems. To test for thermal performance of a cold insulated pipeline under relevant conditions we...

The close relationship between industrial energy use and cryogenics drives the need for optimized thermal insulation systems. Emerging cryofuels usage is enabled by adequate isolation of the liquid hydrogen or liquefied natural gas from the ambient environment. Thermal performance data for the total insulation system, as rendered, are essential for...

Large Liquid Hydrogen (LH2) storage tanks are vital infrastructure for NASA. Eventually, air may leak into the evacuated and perlite filled annular region of these tanks. Although the vacuum level is monitored in this region, the extremely cold temperature causes all but the helium and neon constituents of air to freeze. A small, often unnoticeable...

Cryostats have been developed and standardized for laboratory testing of thermal insulation systems in a flat-plate configuration. Boiloff calorimetry is the measurement principle for determining the effective thermal conductivity (ke) and heat flux (q) of test specimens under a wide range of actual conditions. Cryostat-500 is thermally guarded to...

Cryostats have been developed and standardized for laboratory testing of thermal insulation systems in a cylindrical configuration. Boiloff calorimetry is the measurement principle for determining the effective thermal conductivity (ke) and heat flux (q) of a test specimen at a fixed environmental condition (boundary temperatures, cold vacuum press...

An apparatus and method for the low-temperature thermo-mechanical training of shape memory alloys (SMA) has been developed. The experimental SMA materials are being evaluated as prototypes for applicability in novel thermal management systems for future cryogenic applications. Alloys providing two-way actuation at cryogenic temperatures are the chi...

Standards for thermal insulation used in applications between ambient and low temperatures, below 100 K, require test data under relevant conditions and by different laboratories to develop data sets for the proper comparisons of materials. This critically important technology is needed to provide reliable data and methodologies for industrial ener...

Early comprehensive testing of cryogenic multilayer insulation focused on the use of silk netting as a spacer material. Silk netting was used for multiple test campaigns that were designed to provide baseline thermal performance estimates for cryogenic insulation systems. As more focus was put on larger systems, the cost of silk netting became a de...

Cryogenic multilayer insulation (MLI) systems provide both conductive and radiative thermal insulation performance. The use of radiation shields with low conductivity spacers in between are required. By varying the distance and types of the spacers between the radiation shields, the relative radiation and conduction heat transfers can be manipulate...

The cooling power consumption in large scale superconducting systems is huge and cryogenic devices used in space applications often require an extremely long cryogen holding time. To economically maintain the device at its operating temperature and minimize the refrigeration losses, high performance of thermal isolation is essential. The radiation...

The modification and outfitting of a 125,000-liter liquid hydrogen tank was performed to provide integrated refrigeration and storage capability. These functions include zero boil-off, liquefaction, and densification and therefore require provisions for sub-atmospheric tank pressures within the vacuum-jacketed, multilayer insulated tank. The primar...

With increasing system control and reliability requirements as well as demands for higher energy efficiencies, thermal insulation in extreme environments is a growing challenge prompting the publication of new technical consensus standards for cryogenic insulation testing and multilayer insulation (MLI) systems [1]. The approach of a layered therma...

From the high performance arena of cryogenic equipment, several different layered thermal insulation systems have been developed for industrial and commercial applications. In addition to the proven areas in cold-work applications for piping and tanks, the new Layered Composite Insulation for Extreme Environments (LCX) has potential for broader ind...

In support of multiple NASA projects and missions, the Cryogenics Test Laboratory has performed research testing and investigations involving many different multilayer insulation (MLI) systems. Technical standards for testing, material specifications, installation, and presentation of results are crucial for understanding and comparing the thermal...

A multi-purpose, cylindrical thermal insulation test apparatus is used for testing insulation materials and systems of materials using a liquid boil-off calorimeter system for absolute measurement of the effective thermal conductivity (k-value) and heat flux of a specimen material at a fixed environmental condition (cold-side temperature, warm-side...

A multi-purpose, cylindrical thermal insulation test apparatus is used for testing insulation materials and systems of materials using a liquid boil-off calorimeter system for absolute measurement of the effective thermal conductivity (k-value) and heat flux of a specimen material at a fixed environmental condition (cold-side temperature, warm-side...

Field demonstrations of liquid hydrogen technology will be undertaken for the proliferation of advanced methods and applications in the use of cryofuels. Advancements in the use of cryofuels for transportation on Earth, from Earth, or in space are envisioned for automobiles, aircraft, rockets, and spacecraft. These advancements rely on practical w...

Cryogenic multilayer insulation (MLI) has been studied thoroughly over the last 60 years. Numerous tank and calorimeter tests have been performed using many different insulation approaches. However, a large majority of these tests have been on ideal or nearly ideal insulation systems. There are several important factors such as seams or penetratio...

Invented in the 1950s, cryogenic multilayer insulation (MLI) continues to be studied, tested, and analyzed as it represents a complex system that is integral with the total system to be insulated. Numerous tank and calorimeter tests have been performed using many different insulation approaches. Many different variables have been tested and docume...

Although some standards exist for thermal insulation, few address the sub-ambient temperature range and cold-side temperatures below 100 K. Standards for cryogenic insulation systems require cryostat testing and data analysis that will allow the development of the tools needed by design engineers and thermal analysts for the design of practical cry...

http://technology.ksc.nasa.gov/documents/R&T_2013_report.pdf In the humid, ambient environment of the launch pad, moisture is a major factor in the performance of any cryogenic insulation system. The Cryogenics Test Laboratory at Kennedy Space Center developed an apparatus and methodology to study the effects of cryogenic moisture uptake (CMU) on s...