Cryogenic Shutoff Valve Testing

Prior qualification test projects for hardware used in propellant loading systems have led to the development of a standardized test procedure for the performance evaluation of cryogenic shutoff valves. This standardized test procedure, which is detailed in KSC-DM-3886, was used to qualify cryogenic gate valves for liquid oxygen service in the Space Shuttle propellant loading systems. The testing was conducted under the authority of KSC's Safety and Obsolescence (S&O) program at the NASA Development Testing Laboratory. The standardized procedure includes functional tests, thermal shock tests, life cycle tests, and flow tests in an ordered sequence. The functional test is composed of a series of ambient and cryogenic temperature leak checks, internal and external, conducted in designated increments of inlet pressure and valve actuation cycles. The photograph gives a view of the typical functional test setup. The cryogenic temperature is -321 degrees Fahrenheit (liquid nitrogen) and the leak check fluid is helium gas at pressures up to 250 pounds per square inch gage. Over 20,000 actuation cycles were performed on a total of six gate valves for the S&O qualification testing program. The results are summarized in KSC-DM-4143. Numerous engineering evaluation tests of cryogenic valves have also been conducted. Engineering evaluation tests typically include a prescribed sequence of functional and life cycle tests. Cryogenic butterfly, gate, globe, and ball valves from over a dozen different manufacturers (sizes from 1/4-inch to 12-inch diameter, Class 150 or 300) have been tested and evaluated for a variety of applications.


Contact:
James Fesmire
DM-MGD, (407) 867-7969

Participating Organizations:
United Space Alliance (M. Pringle) and
I-NET, Inc. (R.E. Koss)






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Author: James Fesmire <james.fesmire@ksc.nasa.gov> / NASA
Curator: David Adcock <david.adcock@ksc.nasa.gov> / NASA
Last Revised: May 1, 1997

A service of NASA / Kennedy Space Center Engineering Development Directorate, Mechanical GSE Division, Roger Hall, Chief (roger.hall-1@ksc.nasa.gov)