Multi-Physics Based Thermo-Well Fatigue Design Tool, Year 2

Thermo-wells are used extensively in the highly energetic process systems at SSC; and a thermo-well fatigue failure has the potential to cause extensive damage. Thermo-wells are sized for the specific process flow conditions they are expected to be subject to and for a given service life. The thermo-well design method in use at SSC is an outdated method that is over-conservative and sometimes results in a required thermo-well size that adversely affects other design parameters. It would be beneficial for SSC to have a design method or design tool that is not over-conservative yet still gives a high confidence that a specified thermo-well will not fail during its service life. The specific scope of this CIF project would consist of analytical and experimental work to be performed by SSC. The analytical work would be performed by NASA CS and will involve using the Loci-CHEM/CalculiX multi-physics software package to develop and analyze thermo-well models and conduct verification studies. The experimental work would be performed by NASA CS and S3 contractor support and will consist of in-situ thermo-well fatigue testing, and would comprise the validation study for the design tool. During the first year (FY19) of the project the PI: Researched the literature regarding Thermo-well design tools and methods and fatigue processes associated with thermo-wells -Conducted preliminary analysis of the thermo-well operational loading assessment from flow induced vibrations -Arranged for fatigue testing of stainless steel piping under cryogenic temperatures at the MSU Facility The scope of the project’s second year (FY20) project will entail: Continuation of analytical work using the Loci-CHEM/CalculiX multi-physics software package to develop and analyze thermo-well models; Conducting verification and experimental validation studies of the models ; Conducting verification and experimental validation studies of the models; Delivering a production ready tool (software package with documentation) for SSC’s use; Develop journal articles from the results

The thermo-well fatigue design tool will be used by SSC in process system design. Other RPT (Rocket Propulsion Test office) centers could likely be early infusion targets along with other centers or commercial entities that design process systems which operate at cryogenic temps

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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