Mainstream is developing an Integrated Cryogenic Propellant Liquefaction System (I-CPLS), with a projected mass of 192 kg, including heat rejection and contaminant mitigation, and power consumption of 10.3 kW when operating in a 225 K environment. Our lunar based I-CPLS liquifies oxygen (O2) (3.3 kg/h) and hydrogen (H2) (0.4 kg/h) simultaneously singular cooling system. In Phase I, Mainstream optimized the I-CPLS based on a representative lunar environment and developed refined component designs. The optimized I-CPLS is 3.8 % under the solicitation mass target and 31.3 % under the solicitation power target. The power system remains the dominant mass for this system. As a result of the lower power use, the power system is 31.3 % under the target for both solar and fission power systems. The net benefit of the I-CPLS is a total mass (liquefaction system plus power system) that is 1,492 kg (-28.4 %) or 670 kg (-23.7 %) under the solicitation total system target for solar and fission power systems, respectively, for a 225 K lunar environment. Additionally, the I-CPLS currently complies with the solicitation mass target. However, for each additional kilogram of I-CPLS mass allowed for reducing the rejection temperature reduces the total mass by has a 9.9 kg and 4.5 kg, for solar and fission power, respectively. In Phase II, Mainstream will completing flight-ready demonstration of key components of the I-CPLS which represent the greatest reduction in system risk.
The I-CPLS is targeted at improvement in the cryogenic propellant liquefaction state of the art, in particular system weight reduction. This fills a need for ultra-lightweight and low power liquefaction system designs for lunar and Martian vehicle refueling systems.
The I-CPLS is targeted at improvement in the cryogenic propellant liquefaction state of the art, in particular system weight reduction. This fills a need for ultra-lightweight and low power liquefaction system designs for lunar and Martian vehicle refueling systems.