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StatusCompleted
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Status date2018-01-08
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Activity Code4B.117
The aim of the project is to assess the applicable requirements and to develop engineering models (EM) of an ITAR free 20µm bi-propellant filter suitable for European geostationary telecoms platforms. The project tasks include the development of a detailed design, manufacturing and verification on three EM and, propellant compatibility testing, and planning for qualification and commercial evolution.
The major challenge of the bi-propellant filter is to maintain the performance throughout the required life time of more than 15 years in orbit and be reliable when subjected to the required pressure and temperature environments throughout the operational life time for the most challenging application - a chemical propulsion system for a typical telecommunication satellite in GEO.
The bi-propellant filter has the benefits of
- Absolute rating: With the extreme precision and tolerance that the MEMS (Micro ElectroMechanical Systems) manufacturing method provides, a “true” absolute filtration rating can be guaranteed anywhere in the range from 2 to 30 microns. The foreseen family of filters may have 5, 10 and 20 micron ratings.
- High performance: The manufacturing method and the scalable design enable filters with higher ratio of flow rate to pressure drop than any existing filter.
- ITAR free: The market leader today is a US product under ITAR. The filters proposed to be developed here are ITAR free.
- Scalability: The batch manufacturing method and the scalable design enable filters that are attractive to satellites from small satellites in LEO to telecommunication satellites in GEO.
By including MEMS technology in the assembly, it is possible to achieve a filter with high performance, low mass and cost while maintaining conventional mechanical interfaces. The filter consists of two major subassemblies: The external mechanical assembly, which ensures leak tightness and fluidic connection to the propulsion system, and the filtration assembly, which ensures that the pressure drop, filtration rating and dirt capacity requirements of the propulsion system are met.
The filter design allows installation anywhere on the fluidic line prepared for titanium welding. Filters are typically integrated upstream contamination sensitive components such as regulators, non-return valves, and thruster valves. Liquid filters are used in both mono- and bipropellant systems.
This project is organised into the following tasks:
- establish a representative requirements specification,
- perform a series of long term material compatibility tests with the materials and coatings of the filter disks intended to be used,
- consolidate the EM design, document and hold a PDR for a 20-micron filter for chemically reactive propellants,
- build and test three EM filters against the agreed requirements specification,
- based on the test results achieved, establish a qualification plan for a follow-on activity
Following the project initiation in July 2016, the filter requirements have been established and the development of a detailed design, manufacturing and verification, as well as planning for qualification and commercial evolution, have been performed. Bubble-point test results are consistent between models. The results from the particle filtration tests clearly showed that particles in the 20 µm size range were captured inside the filter. The wetted parts are also shown to be compatible with MMH and MON/NTO propellants. The project has increased the maturity of this product family. The tests show that a baseline filter meet the pressure drop requirement (<700 mbar at a flow rate of 69 g/s), with a pressure drop of ~200 mbar at 68 g/s for a clean filter. However, the requirement is not met after ingestion of 800mg of ISO A4 test dust, which requires a slight redesign of the product. The activity is completed.
