215. Liquid Propellant Loading Techniques
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Paper
Abstract
This paper discusses the need and methods for accurate determination amount of loaded propellant. This first method loads a constant volume of liquid oxygen and varies the fuel volume as a function of propellant densities with data for liquid oxygen and RP-1 propellants. Accuracy requirements for this system were stringent, being 1/4 per cent for everything except fuel density, which was 1/20 percent. The second method is based upon liquid oxygen density is measured in this system by barometric pressure. Problems in determining the density of liquid oxygen by other methods is discussed. In particular data is presented to verify the early work on liquid oxygen density measurements. Problems of proper tank vent sizing and the relationship to the barometric-density method are shown. The third method is based upon development of fuel density tester using a fully submerged hydrometer constructed of Vycor glass which requires no temperature correction. The forth method is based upon liquid oxygen volume measurement where the oxygen tanks are calibrated with water, and pre-determined corrections are made to obtain the true volume of liquid oxygen at firing time. The final method discussed is fuel volume measurement using a volumetric flow meter.
