ISSN: 1546-962X
Published Online: 13 August 2009
Page Count: 13

High Pressure Quick Disconnect Particle Impact Tests

Rosales, Keisa R.
Chemical Engineer, NASA Test and Evaluation Contract, Las Cruces,NM

Stoltzfus, Joel M.
Project Manager, NASA White Sands Test Facility, Las Cruces,NM

(Received 11 December 2008; accepted 12 June 2009)

Abstract

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Johnson Space Center White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) performed particle impact testing to determine whether there is a particle impact ignition hazard in the quick disconnects (QDs) in the environmental control and life support system (ECLSS) on the International Space Station (ISS). Testing included standard supersonic and subsonic particle impact tests on 15–5 PH stainless steel, as well as tests performed on a QD simulator. This paper summarizes the particle impact tests completed at WSTF. Although there was an ignition in test series 4, it was determined that the ignition was caused by the presence of a machining imperfection. The sum of all the test results and analysis enabled NASA to conclude that the risk of particle impact ignition hazard in the ISS ECLSS QDs was acceptable.

Keywords:
quick disconnect, high pressure, particle impact testing, stainless steel

Paper ID: JAI102286
DOI: 10.1520/JAI102286
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