Application of high-purity helium and nitrogen in rocket and aerospace technology

Helium, high-purity helium

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In modern rocket and aerospace technology, nitrogen and high-purity helium gases are widely used.

Their main applications are:

1. As an energy source, it is used to operate various pneumatic valves and components (high-purity helium gas should be used to operate liquid hydrogen low-temperature valves);

2. As a gas for purging and replacement, purge and replace the liquid propellant filling system (high-purity helium or hydrogen should be used for replacing liquid oxygen system);

3. Pressurize the propellant storage tanks on rockets and aircraft, and pressurize the ground propellant storage tanks to ensure the normal operation of the propellant system (helium or oxygen should be used to pressurize the liquid oxygen storage tanks);

4. Powered by high-pressure nitrogen gas, the rocket engine instantly drives the turbo pump to work (after the engine starts, the gas provided by the propellant gas generator drives the turbo pump to work);

5. Use nitrogen to blow off the instrument compartment on the rocket for explosion prevention, and blow off electrical equipment that requires explosion prevention on the ground for fire extinguishing and firefighting purposes;

6. Used for blowing off rocket engine systems (using ammonia or high-purity helium as required);

After filling, blow and seal the ground pipeline system with nitrogen.  

The gas used by rockets and spacecraft during flight is stored in a titanium conical cylinder on the rocket. The ground equipment and the gas used before rocket takeoff are directly provided by the ground gas supply system. The gas source and supply system are important components of rockets and aerospace ground equipment.    

Nitrogen is also used for airtightness inspection of rocket propellant storage tanks, engine systems, etc. To ensure the normal operation of the turbopump in the rocket engine system, it is required that the pump operates at a certain net positive suction head to prevent cavitation. Therefore, the propellant storage tank should be pressurized before rocket takeoff. Nitrogen can be used as a power source for pneumatic valves. For certain pneumatic valves operating at liquid hydrogen temperature, high-purity helium gas should be used for operation. Nitrogen is an economical and suitable gas for purging, as it is mixed with propellant vapor without the risk of ignition or explosion, and does not have any adverse effects on the propellant system. For liquid hydrogen liquid oxygen rocket engines, in some cases, high-purity helium gas must be blown out.