Investigation on liquid helium pressurization process using a heater in a liquid propellant rocket

This paper describes a novel concept of the liquid helium pressurization system utilizing a heater in a liquid propellant rocket. This method makes the pressurization system simple and reliable, because electrical energy can be easily controlled to maintain the expulsion pressure in the liquid helium tank. The experimental results and the thermodynamic analysis are presented in this paper. The thermodynamic analysis considers two control volumes each with a uniform temperature, with the pressure in them being equal. The experimental result shows that this pressurization method satisfies the requirement for the pressurization system of the rocket. The thermodynamic analysis is verified through the comparison with the experimental result. The electrical power requirement in a practical rocket is also discussed. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier Ltd.