An investigation was conducted to explore using composite-material technology to minimize thermal losses in a cryogenic fluid pump. Composite materials are used to replace the metallic parts in the drive shaft as well as the inner and outer housing structures. This can provide two independent benefits, conduction loss reduction and pump efficiency improvement. In a typical BNI cryogenic pump the conduction loss contributes to only 3–5% of the pump's total thermal losses, while the pump inefficiency comprises the remaining majority. By switching to a composite material, the conduction losses are reduced by an order of magnitude and the pump efficiency has the potential for significant improvement. With the almost negligible conduction losses the shaft can be greatly reduced in length, helping to achieve the higher operating speed and improved pump efficiency. BNI has shown by engineering estimates a potential 46% reduction in total heat input for a typical pump using composite parts. This paper examines the efforts to qualify the performance of the composite material and the integrity of the composite-bonded-metallic components. Currently a prototype pump is under construction to prove the concept in an operational hydrogen pump.
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