Integrated Stack and Advanced MEAs for High-Yield, Long-Life Helium Reclamation System

Extremely large quantities of helium are being used during rocket engine testing each year at various test facilities. It is critical for program successes to minimize developmental and testing costs by reclaiming helium utilized in those programs, and equally important to preserve this rare element for future generations. Given the continued decrease in the world's supply of helium, NASA is heading to an economic, operational, and programmatic disaster. New and highly innovative approaches are required to drive down launch operations' life cycle costs. Scaling-up of existing systems to meet an increased demand of helium is not an option. With the proposed advanced membranes and stack configuration, FCE in collaboration with SLI and HNEI will significantly improve the current technical approach to recover vented GHe at a cost reduction factor of 100 as compared to current helium market price. Launch and test facilities at the following locations will be approached: Stennis Space Center (SSC), Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB), Wallops Flight Facility (WFF), Kodiak Launch Complex (KLC), NASA - RS-25 engine

Using PEM electrochemical cells to purify helium will directly benefit other government agencies and private company space missions. The success of the proposed technology will be implemented at launch pads and test facilities, which will result in saving millions of dollars in cost of helium while lowering costs in launch services and in operation. The non-NASA government agencies that will benefit from the technology application are the Department of Energy (DOE) and Department of Defense (DOD). Private companies that will benefit from the technology application are major launch providers and vehicle developers such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, ATK, and Aerojet. Potential applications for Non-NASA commercial applications are at the following facilities: Orbital Sciences Corp - Taurus II First Stage - Dual Aerojet AJ26-62 engines United Launch Alliance - Atlas V – Main Engine: RD AMROSS engine RD-180, Second Stage: Aeroject RL10A Engine United Launch Alliance - Delta IV – Main Engine: Aeroject RS-68 Engine, Second Stage: Aerojet RL10B-2 Engine SpaceX Falcon 1 – Second Stage: Kestrel Engine Aerojet – RL10, RS-68, RS-25 test stands More »