Apr 4 2007
Scorpius Space Launch Company, an aerospace manufacturing and launch services firm in Hawthorne, CA, announced that it had been selected by Microcosm, Inc. to build lightweight all-composite cryogenic tanks for a NASA Phase I SBIR contract.
These are the first all-composite tanks to overcome the problem of microcracking (and therefore leaks) at cryogenic temperatures. This makes them very well suited for cryogenic superconductor applications such as power generation, transformation and distribution, as well as public transportation systems such as maglev trains. They can also be applied to high energy particle accelerators, rail guns, or laser guns. According to Microcosm President, Dr. James Wertz, “The results are dramatic. Our previous 42 inch diameter all composite tanks weighed 550 lbs and leaked through the tank wall at 630 psi. Our current tanks of the same size and thickness weigh 480 lbs and never leak up to pressures of over 2100 psi.” The tanks can use either carbon fibers for maximum strength per unit weight or E-glass fibers that are electrically isolating and magnetically neutral.
The technology on which the tank design is based was recently awarded the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA) and Composites Manufacturing magazine 2006 Award for Excellence and Innovation in Composites Engineering. This was the first time the ACMA has issued an award in this category.
Commenting on this contract, Jack Kulpa, President and CEO of the Scorpius SLC, said: “We are extremely pleased with the exceptional performance of these award-winning tanks. In addition to using these tanks on launch vehicles, we are offering this technology as PRESSURMAXX products in a range of sizes as well as custom-made pressure vessels for advanced industrial, commercial and scientific applications where ultra-high strength-to-weight ratio and superior cryogenic characteristics are important”.
PRESSURMAXX tanks conform to ASME standards and their liner-less design reduces cost and weight by over 60% compared to metal tanks. They also offer significant advantages over metal or metal-lined tanks, where fatigue characteristics and separation issues of the liner materials can compromise operations. This superior performance profile is expected to benefit many applications such as automotive, marine, oil and gas transportation and storage, chemical and pharmaceutical processing.
http://www.scorpius.com