Dirschka, Eric

Fullerton, Richard

Valek, Susan

Woods, Steve

NASA Technical Reports Server

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Produced by the NASA Center for Aerospace Information (CASI) 
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20130011485 2019-08-31T00:37:53+00:00Z
. , 
Hydrogen 
at NASA 
• 
____________ N_A_S_A_'_s_H~2~I_n_te_r_e_s_ts _________ ~ 
Space Missions and Aeronautic Development 
Enable human exploration of the Moon and Mars 
Institutional Asset Stewardship 
Enhance energy efficiency at all facilities to reduce operating costs and natural resource consumption 
(e.g. renewable energy sources, altematively fueled vehicles) 
'. 
" 
" ,. 
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• ,. ~ 
2 
1 
Past and Present H2 Applications 
Centaur, Saturn IIIVN 
and Space Shuttle 
transportation 
(1960 to today) 
Gemini , Apollo and 
Space Shuttle alkaline 
fuel cells (1965 to today) P--·,·· , ; ". 
International Space 
Station life support 
(1999 to today) 
Present H2 Space Applications 
3 
Hydrogen used as energy carrier and fuel for spaceport and vehicle applications 
For space flight applications, liquefied hydrogen (LH2) has been the traditional 
method of choice. 
\ . 
2 
Current Primary H2 Focus • 
---~--
Assurance of liquid hydrogen as fuel for rocket 
engine tests and Space Shuttle launches. 
LH2 Storage 
• LH2 is transferred from tanker trucks to large 
spherical vessels for storage 
• NASA is the largest customer in the US 
• Most LH2 is made commercially from natural gas 
Immediately after hurricane Katrina 
in 2005, 700,000 gallons of LH2 were 
. 1t,,,m:fE!rTI.d from KSC to industry to 
reduce the impact of the temporary 
reduction in hydrogen production. 
5 
3 
Long Term H2 Goals 
In support of human exploration of the Moon and Mars, 
several technologies are being developed that are 
based on hydrogen. Much of this effort leverages 
progress in the commercial sector for use in NASA 
unique environments and applications 
• Hydrogen/oxygen propulsion systems for crew and 
cargo transportation vehicles 
• .PEM fuel cells with long life, high-capacity and high-
density energy storage for spacecraft and planetary 
surface exploration 
• Solid Oxide Fuel Cells for Aeronautics 
• Cryogenic fuel storage 
• Local resource extraction from Moon and Mars soil 
(hydrogen/oxygen for propellant, fuel cells & breathing) 
Long Term H2 Goals 
Space Exploration Resources 
7 
Confirming abundant water on the Moon would greatly simplify human life support and transportation by 
minimizing costly replenishment from Earth. In-situ processing (electrolysis or thermo-chemical) could 
convert water to hydrogen and oxygen for storage and use as rocket propellant, fuel cell reagents and 
breathing gas. Even without water, oxygen can be produced from lunar soil. 
While lunar samples retumed by the Apollo missions revealed that the Moon interior is devoid of water, 
subsequent robotic surveys (Clementine and Lunar Prospector) indicate the possibility of water ice in the 
cold dark areas of the lunar poles. If confirmed, the ice may be due to solar wind or past impacts with 
water rich comets. Estimates suggest there may be the equivalent a small lake (- 1 billion cubic 
meters). If true, this much water would provide resources for many lunar and Mars exploration missions. 
8 
4 
____ A_I_te_r_n_a_ti_v_e-=ly_F_ue_l_e_d_V_e_h_i_cl_e_s ___ • 
Since 1999 Kennedy Space Center (KSC) has demonstrated hydrogen and fuel cell powered vehicles on 
the center and at the Visitor Complex. NASA plans to move from short-term demonstrations toward 
implementing hydrogen and fuel cell powered vehicles as a practical part of the vehicle fleet. 
H2 For Ground Facilities 
While NASA's resources are limited for institutional improvements, there is interest in outfitting 
various NASA field centers with hydrogen capabilities. Several centers have resident expertise in 
hydrogen systems and existing hydrogen infrastructure. 
White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) plans a wind energy 
project for ground water remediation that could include 
fuel cell energy storage/conversion . 
• Multiple centers have proposed the addition of 
hydrogen fueling stations for use with commercially 
provided demonstration vehicles . 
• Other applications are possible (backup power 
supplies, utility carts, lawnmowers, etc) 
9 
10 
5 
Other H2 Activities (Past and Current) 
• Collaborations with Universities, Industry, and Government Agencies 
• Safety 
• Standards 
• Training 
• Testing 
• Hazard Analysis 
• Technology Development 
• Fuel Cells (e.g. PEM, electrode catalysts, membrane electrolytes, 
solid oxide, methane, metal-air) 
• Storage (e.g. metal hydrides, zero-boil off liqu ids, thermal simulation , 
carbon sorbents, insulations) 
• Production (e.g photo-chemical water splitting, ceramic membranes) 
• Leak sensors (e.g. solid state electronics, paint pigments) 
• Technology Transfer to Industry (e.g. private and public transport) 
• Prize Competitions (e.g. orbital liqu id fuel depot, lunar rover power) 
• Outreach (e.g. vehicle demos, K-12 education) 
11 
6 
· , 
KSC Alternatively Fueled 
Vehicle Demonstrations 
Since 1999 Kennedy Space Center (KSC) has demonstrated 
hydrogen and fuel cell powered vehicles on the center and at the 
Visitor Complex. 
6/15/2009 
1 
KSC has been an early adopter of alternatively fueled vehicles 
since 1994 when the natural gas fueling station was built, allowing NASA to: 
relate the use of hydrogen fuel as a ground transportation fuel to its experience in using hydrogen as an 
aerospace transportation fuel 
~ evaluate the use of hydrogen fueled vehicles in its fleet operations, 
~ comply with Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFVs) mandates. 
KSC, a high-visibility facility 
with many visitors , has the 
opportunity to demonstrate 
to the public at large that 
these new technologies 
exist, provide significant 
benefits, and can gradually 
gain acceptance for 
widespread use. 
Zero Emission fuel cell bus 
at KSC for 1 week in 1999 
, , . 
6/15/2009 
2 
·f 
Fuel cell powered vehicle at KSC 
for 1 week in 2004 
In 2004, the fuel cell 
powered Ford Focus 
FCV was demonstrated 
and exhibited on the 
center and at the Visitor 
Complex. 
6/15/2009 
• 
3 
6/15/2009 
• 
4 
Two fuel cell powered vehicles at KSC 
for 8 weeks in 2005 
In 2005, two Honda FCXs powered by 
fuel cells were demonstrated at KSC. 
--- --- ------
6/15/2009 
5 
LH2 fueled vehicles at KSC 
for 6 weeks in 2007 
In 2007, four hydrogen internal combustion engine (ICE) BMW Hydrogen 7's 
were demonstrated at KSC. 
• 
6/15/2009 
6 
These vehicles 
are fueled with 
liquid hydrogen 
(LH2) . BMW 
brought their 
refueling 
dispenserl 
equipment and 
KSCsupplied 
the LH2. 
• 
KSC'sfirst 
LH2 fueling 
of a vehicle 
that's NOT a 
spacecraft! 
• 
6/15/2009 
7 
Hydrogen refueling capability 
• While NASA resources are limited for institutional improvements, there 
is interest in outfitting various NASA field centers with hydrogen 
capabilities. 
• KSC now has 3S0bar (S,OOOpsi) refueling capability and is working toward 
early adoption of hydrogen vehicles 
• Stennis Space Center and Marshall Space Flight Center also use large 
quantities of hydrogen and are good candidates for early adoption of 
hydrogen vehicles 
• Several centers have proposed 
adding hydrogen fueling stations 
for use with commercially 
provided demonstration 
vehicles. Other applications are 
possible (backup power supplies, 
utility carts, lawn mowers, etc). 
1 
6/15/2009 
8 
A Pictorial History of Fuel Cells at NASA 
The once obscure fuel cell was refined/developed by NASA 
to solve the dilemma of how to provide power for extended 
missions to space. 
G811 
6/15/2009 
1 
6/15/2009 
2 
6/15/2009 
3 
6/15/2009 
4 
Future Missions 
• Altair lunar lander as currently planned will use a PEM 
fuel cell. 
Artist's concept 
of a lunar lander 
on the moon's surface. 
• 
Since refinemenVdevelopment by the space program, fuel cell technology has 
achieved widespread recognition by academia, industry, and government as a 
meal)s for producing clean energy for the future. NASA is open to collaborations 
that benefit its goals and those of the nation. 
6/15/2009 
5 
... . 
Acquisition and Distribution 
of Liquid Hydrogen 
• NASA is the largest consumer of liquid hydrogen (LH 2) in the US. 
• NASA has purchased over 350 
million pounds over 45 years, with 
millions of miles of safe delivery by 
truck, rail, and barge. 
• KSC manages contracts, and 
monitors markets and technologies 
for availability, costs, detection, 
production, safety, storage, and 
transport. 
Tanker being filled 
before delivery. 
Tanker trucks are so well 
insulated that they can 
haul LH2 for hundreds of 
miles without losses to 
boil-off. 
6/15/2009 
1 
Liquid Hydrogen Delivery 
LH2 is transported from commercial vendors to NASA Centers on the public roads via 
cryogenic (having very low temperatures) tanker trucks. 
Approximately 50 tanker trucks are 
driven in for each shuttle launch to 
provide the necessary LH2. 
Shuttle main engines burn about 
500,000 gallons (295,000 Ibs) 
of LH2. Another 239,000 Ibs are 
lost due to boil off and transferral. The 
fuel is stored at minus 423°F. The 
engine exhaust is primarily water vapor. 
LH2 tankers at destination prepare to fill 850,000 gallon storage tank. 
6/15/2009 
2 
On-site Distribution 
Stennis Space Center uses barges for 
on-site distribution. 
All other sites use tankers and fixed 
storage. 
Storage tank at KSC 
6/15/2009 
• 
3 
Testing 
White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) has a wide variety of 
resources to draw upon in assessing the fire, explosion, 
compatibility, and safety hazards of hydrogen and other 
propellants. 
FLAMMABLE GH2 CLOUD 
Time 37 sec 
Simulation 
6/15/2009 
1 
Safety Standards 
The White Sands Test Facility collaborates with a variety of 
organizations to ensure up-to-date safety information and 
standards for Agency use and share NASA hydrogen 
expertise in the development of national and international 
standards : 
• WSTF Personnel hold Chairman and Secretary duties for AIAA's 
Hydrogen Committee on Standards: "Gu ide to Safety of Hydrogen 
and Hydrogen Systems, (ANSI/AIAA G-095-2004)" 
• Share hazards research and best practice experience: DOE, Sandia 
National Laboratories, and Pacific Northwest National Labs 
• ISO Technical Committee 197 Hydrogen Technologies: "Basic 
considerations for the safety of hydrogen systems, (ISO/PDTR 
15916)" 
• American Society for Testing and Materials 
• National Fire Protection Association : Hydrogen Technologies 
(NFPA 2) standard in development 
Training 
WSTF has provided safety 
training courses in specialized 
areas since 1987 
Taught at NASA centers, 
government and industry 
locations 
Customized content can be 
arranged 
• Hydrogen courses currently offered through the NASA Safety 
Training Center (NSTC) or by special arrangement: 
- Hydrogen Safety [2-day seminar (037 - NSTCl] 
- Safety in Hydrogen Systems Operations [4-hour instruction (054 - NSTCl] 
• Other courses offered include: Oxygen Safety, Hypergol Safety, 
and COPV Inspection 
6/15/2009 
2 
Hazard Assessment 
Experience in performing 
hydrogen hazard assessment 
on components, systems, and 
facilities using specially 
developed protocols: 
[Hydrogen Hazards Assessment Protocol for 
Components and Systems (WSTF-IR-1117-001-08)] 
Analysis considers: 
• Environment and Operating conditions 
• Material compatibility 
• System design and best practice 
• Flammability, Ignition, & explosion 
• Exposures to personnel and equipment 
• Consequences (before and after mitigations) 
Provides logical methodology, 
documentation of findings, 
mitigations and recommendations 
Component 
Analysis 
Facil~y Siting Assessment, Ann Arbor, Michigan 
6/15/2009 
3 


Hydrogen at NASA

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