A theoretical investigation of gas conduction effects on multilayer insulation performance

A theoretical investigation of gas conduction effects on multilayer insulation performance

Delil, A.A.M.
Heemskerk, J.F.

National Aerospace Laboratory NLR

1976-02-09

The thermal performance of multilayer insulation hlankets depends on three (interacting) modes of energy transfer: radiation between the radiation shields, gas conduction in the residual interstitial gas and solid conduction via the contacting interfaces. The contribution of the gas conduction depends on the interstitial gas and its pressure, that are determined mainly by the temperature dependent outgassing of the shield and spacer materials. Special attention has been given to the actual problems of the insulation of the storage of cryogenic licpiids in vessels, the insulation of black boxes from space environment and the effect of gas sources surroimded by multilayer insulation. The results indicate that perforation of the shields reduces the insulation properties of a blanket considerably. Hence for cryogenic storage non-perforated shields are to be preferred. In space cutted shields are to be preferred, because they allow fast depressurisation without impairing the radiation properties.

heat transfer
multilayer insulation
spacecraft shielding
heat transfer coefficients
mathematical models
thermal conductivity
gaseous diffusion
thermal diffusion
thermal insulation
cryogenic fluid storage
outgassing

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:0df4af9d-a7b2-4768-a0f6-a98e8a8c7e7e

Nationaal Lucht- en Ruimtevaartlaboratorium

Campus only

NLR-TR 76018 U

Aerospace Engineering Reports

report

(c) 1976 National Aerospace Laboratory NLR