A new Blended Hybrid Laminate™ (BHL) composite technology for cryogenic tubes, pipes and transfer lines has been introduced by Gloyer-Taylor Laboratories (GTL).
Described as “breakthrough” technology, BHL's innovation can reach 20 Kelvin and start the flow of liquid hydrogen in less than two seconds.
Once integrated into operational systems, this means that an aircraft carrier, for example, could fill its liquid hydrogen tanks in minutes instead of hours, and the small amounts of hydrogen that evaporate during the filling operation could be easily managed.
The result is reduced fuel costs and improved operational safety.
NASA is already testing the technology under its SBIR program, and the space agency previously found that when liquid hydrogen is transferred from one distribution or storage tank to another, 50 to 70 percent of the hydrogen is lost to evaporation.
However, by using BHL composite tubing, NASA was able to reduce the dry mass of the cryogenic fluid transfer lines, as well as the cool-down time and hydrogen boil-off.
A combination of a significant reduction in thermal mass and improved heat transfer properties has made this improvement possible. This technology can significantly reduce boiling of liquid hydrogen during transport, opening up the possibility of ventless filling of liquid hydrogen tanks in aircraft, trucks and spacecraft.
GTL President Paul Gloyer said he is excited about the testing and validation efforts of the BHL technology and its demonstrated ability to outperform conventional metal transfer lines in both mass and boil-off characteristics.
“We first made great strides with our tank technology and now have tubes that demonstrate fast fill and refill capabilities. The ultra-lightweight BHL technology being used and validated in this effort marks another important milestone in our efforts to advance hydrogen-powered innovation and vehicles.”
GTL has multiple simultaneous projects utilizing BHL technology and is currently incorporating BHL composite tubing into a flight prototype of GTL's ultra-light composite liquid hydrogen dewar tank, which is scheduled for flight testing on a manned helicopter starting in Q4 2024.
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