Terrestrial Applications of Zero Boil-Off Cryogen Storage

Storing cryogenic propellants with zero boil off (ZBO) using a combination of active (cryocoolers) and passive technologies has recently received a great deal of attention for applications such as future long-term space missions. This paper will examine a variety of potential near-term terrestrial applications for ZBO and, where appropriate, provide a rough order of magnitude cost benefit of implementing ZBO technology. NASA's Space Shuttle power system uses supercritical propellant tanks, which are filled several days before launch. If the launch does not occur within 48-96 hours, the tanks must be drained and refilled, further delaying the launch. By implementing ZBO, boil off could be eliminated and pad hold time extended. At the launch site, vented liquid hydrogen (LH2) storage dewars lose 1200-1600 gal/day through boiloff. Implementing ZBO would eliminate this, saving $300,000-$400,000 per year. Similarly, overland trucking of LH2 from the supplier to the launch site via roadable dewars results in a cryogen loss of ten percent per tanker (1500 gal/tanker). Providing a cryocooler on board the rig would prevent this loss. Previous work investigating variable density insulation found that a 50% reduction in evaporation from a 6000 gallon dewar would save $5000 per year. For a 20 year dewar lifetime, the payback period would be less than two years. Similar benefits could be realized at other storage facilities across the nation. Within the superconductivity community, there is skepticism about using coolers, based upon reliability concerns. By providing a cooler on the dewar, lifetime could be extended while retaining fail-safe capability. If the cooler failed, it would merely lower the storage life of the dewar.