The proposed catalytic heat exchanger can be used for passive heat shielding and catalytic pressurization on NASA spacecraft and propellant depots. Any vehicle employing LH2 in either space or terrestrial applications can benefit. Specifically, vapor-shielded stages such as Centaur, used on Delta IV, Atlas V, and potentially SLS, stand to benefit. Rocket engines incorporating regeneratively cooled combustion chambers, such as the RL-10, can incorporate this technology for decreased wall temperature. Promising near-term applications are parahydrogen-orthohydrogen conversion beds in hydrogen liquefiers and cryocoolers. The microstructure coupled with electromagnetic field varying will provide optimal thermal advantage to weight comparisons. In-space cryogen boiloff is the largest at-launch expense for space travel, and this technology can increase the refrigeration capacity of hydrogen boiloff vapors nearly 50% for passive heat shielding applications.
Parahydrogen-orthohydrogen catalysts are reversible, and the proposed catalytic heat exchangers can be used for hydrogen liquefaction and refrigeration systems. Any system utilizing passive heat shielding, including terrestrial hydrogen storage dewars and tankers, stands to benefit from this technology.
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