Abstract: A cryogenic vaporization system and method are provided. A first heat exchanger heats a liquid cryogen via indirect heat exchange to output a cryogenic vapor at a first temperature. A second heat exchanger receives the cryogenic vapor at the first temperature. The second heat exchanger heats the cryogenic vapor via indirect heat exchange to a second temperature. The cryogenic vapor at the second temperature is recirculated to the first heat exchanger to heat the liquid cryogen and cool the recirculated cryogenic vapor to a third temperature. A third heat exchanger receives the cryogenic vapor at the third temperature. The third heat exchanger heats the cryogenic vapor to a fourth temperature. The third heat exchanger outputs the cryogenic vapor at the fourth temperature.

Abstract: A system and method for the production and supply of a densified, liquid oxidant to a space vehicle launch facility with one or more launch platforms is provided. In one embodiment, a low pressure gaseous oxygen stream is piped from a nearby air separation unit to the space vehicle launch facility where it is then liquefied and densified in a two-stage, integrated liquefaction/densification system. In an alternate embodiment, a liquid oxygen stream produced at an air separation unit is densified in a two-stage, integrated densification system at or near the air separation unit with the resulting densified liquid oxygen product transported via truck/trailer to a nearby space vehicle launch facility.

Abstract: A system and method for the production and supply of a densified, liquid oxidant to a space vehicle launch facility with one or more launch platforms is provided. A low pressure gaseous oxygen stream is piped from a nearby air separation unit and is then liquefied and densified in a two-stage, integrated liquefaction/densification system. The first refrigeration stage is a nitrogen based reverse Brayton cycle refrigeration cycle, that liquefies the gaseous oxygen and subcools the resulting liquid oxygen to a temperature of about 81 Kelvin. The second refrigeration stage is a mixed refrigerant loop containing some combination of helium and/or neon refrigerants that densifies the liquid oxygen to a temperature of about 57 Kelvin. The integrated liquefaction and densification system may also be configured to densify liquid methane or other propellants used in space vehicle launches.

Abstract: A system and method for the co-production of a densified, liquid oxidant and a densified liquid methane fuel to a space vehicle launch facility is provided. In one embodiment, a low pressure gaseous oxygen stream is piped from a nearby air separation unit to the space vehicle launch facility where it is then liquefied and densified in a two-stage, integrated liquefaction/densification system that also densifies a source of liquid methane. In an alternate embodiment, a liquid oxygen stream produced at an air separation unit is densified in a two-stage, integrated densification system configured to densify both the liquid oxygen as well a source of liquid methane at or near the air separation unit with the resulting densified liquid products transported via truck/trailer to a nearby space vehicle launch facility.

Abstract: A system and method for the production and supply of a densified, liquid oxidant to a space vehicle launch facility is provided. A stream of liquid oxygen taken from a co-located, liquid producing air separation unit is densified in a two refrigeration stage, integrated densification system. The first refrigeration stage is a nitrogen based reverse Brayton cycle refrigeration cycle that provides refrigeration to the second refrigeration stage. The second refrigeration stage is a helium and/or neon comprising refrigerant loop that densifies the liquid oxygen to a temperature between about 70 Kelvin and 57 Kelvin. The integrated densification system may also be configured to densify liquid methane or other propellants used in space vehicle launches.

Abstract: A vaporization system and control method are provided. Liquid cryogen is provided to first ambient air vaporizer (AAV) units. When an output superheated vapor temperature is less than a threshold, the liquid cryogen is provided to second AAV units. When greater than or equal to the threshold, it is determined whether the second AAV units are defrosted. When defrosted, the liquid cryogen is provided to the second AAV units. When not defrosted, it is determined whether ice has formed on the first AAV units. When not formed, it is again determined whether the superheated vapor temperature is less than the threshold. When formed, it is determined whether a current ambient condition is favorable to defrosting the second AAV units. When not favorable, the liquid cryogen is provided to the second bank of AAV units. When favorable, it is again determined whether the superheated vapor temperature is less than the threshold.

Abstract: A cryogenic vaporization system and a method for controlling the system are provided. The system includes a first vaporizer arrangement and a second vaporizer arrangement configured for receiving a liquid cryogen and outputting a superheated vapor. The second vaporizer arrangement is connected in parallel with the first vaporizer arrangement, and includes one or more banks of ambient air vaporizer (AAV) units or loose fill media with a high heat capacity. The second vaporizer arrangement has a different configuration than that of the first vaporizer arrangement. The system further includes at least one control valve controlling provision of the liquid cryogen to at least one of the first vaporizer arrangement and the second vaporizer arrangement.

Abstract: A cryogenic vaporization system and method are provided. A first heat exchanger heats a liquid cryogen via indirect heat exchange to output a cryogenic vapor at a first temperature. A second heat exchanger receives the cryogenic vapor at the first temperature. The second heat exchanger heats the cryogenic vapor via indirect heat exchange to a second temperature. The cryogenic vapor at the second temperature is recirculated to the first heat exchanger to heat the liquid cryogen and cool the recirculated cryogenic vapor to a third temperature. A third heat exchanger receives the cryogenic vapor at the third temperature. The third heat exchanger heats the cryogenic vapor to a fourth temperature. The third heat exchanger outputs the cryogenic vapor at the fourth temperature.

Abstract: A cryogenic vaporization system and a method for controlling the system are provided. The system includes a first vaporizer arrangement and a second vaporizer arrangement configured for receiving a liquid cryogen and outputting a superheated vapor. The second vaporizer arrangement is connected in parallel with the first vaporizer arrangement, and includes one or more banks of ambient air vaporizer (AAV) units or loose fill media with a high heat capacity. The second vaporizer arrangement has a different configuration than that of the first vaporizer arrangement. The system further includes at least one control valve controlling provision of the liquid cryogen to at least one of the first vaporizer arrangement and the second vaporizer arrangement.

Abstract: A vaporization system and control method are provided. Liquid cryogen is provided to first ambient air vaporizer (AAV) units. When an output superheated vapor temperature is less than a threshold, the liquid cryogen is provided to second AAV units. When greater than or equal to the threshold, it is determined whether the second AAV units are defrosted. When defrosted, the liquid cryogen is provided to the second AAV units. When not defrosted, it is determined whether ice has formed on the first AAV units. When not formed, it is again determined whether the superheated vapor temperature is less than the threshold. When formed, it is determined whether a current ambient condition is favorable to defrosting the second AAV units. When not favorable, the liquid cryogen is provided to the second bank of AAV units. When favorable, it is again determined whether the superheated vapor temperature is less than the threshold.

Abstract: A modular, aerogel-based vacuum insulated pipe section comprising an outer conduit; an inner conduit concentrically disposed within the outer conduit with aerogel insulation and a condensable gas being disposed in the insulation space between the concentric conduits. As a stand-alone pipe section, the insulation space is at a pressure within the range of from about 100 microns Hg to about 1000 microns Hg. However, in operation, when a cryogenic fluid is traversing the inner conduit, the condensable gas condenses and the pressure within the insulation space is further reduced to range of from about 1 microns Hg to about 5 microns Hg. The vacuum insulated pipe section further includes a coupling arrangement disposed on a first end of the inner conduit and a second end of the inner conduit, the coupling arrangement configured to engage or mate with a corresponding end of another modular vacuum insulated pipe section.

Abstract: A modular, aerogel-based vacuum insulated pipe section comprising an outer conduit; an inner conduit concentrically disposed within the outer conduit with aerogel insulation and a condensable gas being disposed in the insulation space between the concentric conduits. As a stand-alone pipe section, the insulation space is at a pressure within the range of from about 100 microns Hg to about 1000 microns Hg. However, in operation, when a cryogenic fluid is traversing the inner conduit, the condensable gas condenses and the pressure within the insulation space is further reduced to range of from about 1 microns Hg to about 5 microns Hg. The vacuum insulated pipe section further includes a coupling arrangement disposed on a first end of the inner conduit and a second end of the inner conduit, the coupling arrangement configured to engage or mate with a corresponding end of another modular vacuum insulated pipe section.