Is there really need of vacuum insulated pipes on launching pad for LOX? What insulation and pipe dia are used from LOX storage to the launch tank at what flow rate and pressure, please?..
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$\begingroup$ For what vehicle are you asking about? Also consider accepting some answers to your other questions. $\endgroup$– Organic MarbleCommented Jul 31 at 3:33
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1$\begingroup$ Are you building a lox motor lmao $\endgroup$– Anton HengstCommented Jul 31 at 4:58
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$\begingroup$ please note that if you are trying to build your own rocket motor, questions regarding that are explicitly off-topic $\endgroup$– fyrepenguinCommented Jul 31 at 5:32
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1$\begingroup$ I've heard that it's preferred not to use insulation on your lox lines so you can see where & if you've got leaks. $\endgroup$– Anton HengstCommented Aug 1 at 4:46
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2$\begingroup$ @AntonHengst I can see that depending on the installation. If launch pad 39 had not insulated their 1400 feet of pipe in Florida, I doubt they would have had very good quality propellant coming out the end. I tried to point out that the answer to this is very installation and vehicle dependent. $\endgroup$– Organic MarbleCommented Aug 1 at 15:41
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1 Answer
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Some example numbers for the space shuttle.
The LO2 loading pipes at the shuttle launch pads were insulated by means of vacuum jackets. (as were the feedlines in the orbiter)
...a new 8-inch diameter vacuum-jacketed fill line is required...The present fill line is a 6-inch vacuum-jacketed line about 1400 feet in length.
Source: Booster Systems Briefs, pdf page 245
This picture shows the distance from the LO2 storage sphere to the launch pad.
Source: What happened to boiled-off gases from the storage tanks at Launch Complex 39?
LO2 flowrates during loading of the shuttle External Tank varied but maxed out at 1400 gallons per minute. Delta p was up to 55 psi.
Source: USA training documents, personal notes. Annotations mine.
Note on the units: these are historical documents, use some perspective.
answered Jul 31 at 23:41