RFI_questions_2017-17-14.docx

80SSC018L0002

Pressure Vessels for Facilities in Support of Rocket Propulsion Testing

Questions & Answers

QUESTION 1:

Our questions relate to information about the existing vessels as we try to get a firmer grasp on exactly what NASA may be looking for in the nine (9) new pressure vessels.

(1) design pressure or MAWP

(2) maximum design temperature (for adiabatic compression)

(3) MDMT (including the lowest current minimum temperature for adiabatic expansion)

(4) materials of construction for the shell, heads, and nozzles

(5) vessel diameter

(6) shell thickness

(7) head type

(8) type of vessel support

(9) type(s) of flanges, or other piping connections if flanges are not used

ANSWER:

Currently NASA does not have existing vessels that were designed for the “special operating conditions for hydrogen service” defined in the RFI. Pictures of existing high pressure gaseous vessels in use are shown below for reference.

QUESTION 2:

Another item of discussion that our technical team wanted to bring up is the ASME Section VIII Div.2 stamp requirement. Is it NASA’s position that this particular stamp will ultimately be a requirement, or is NASA open to alternate material certification?

NASA would like to see options that meet the ASME Section VIII, Division 2 stamp requirement but is also open to alternatives.

QUESTION 3:

Please provide any available information on offload capabilities at Stennis Space Center.

SSC does not have in-house capability to offload the vessels. Contractors have previously brought in cranes for the off-load. Previous vessels have been brought in by barge directly to SSC, by rail to nearby rail yards and then transferred to truck, or by tuck alone. In each case, the contractor has provided the crane support to unload and set the vessels.

QUESTION 4:

We have built for 6000psi and for 1500cuft (is this measured at ambient pressure? 11,220 Gallons?).

MAWP for the vessels is 6,000psig at ambient and total volume of the vessel is 1,500 cu ft (water volume). The vessels are for gaseous hydrogen service.

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