ETD

• assembly
• bearing
• cryogenic
• journal
• LNG
• methane
• propulsion
• reusability
• rocket
• test
• troubleshooting
• turbopump

The thesis concerns the assembly and troubleshooting of the fluid management system of the BART project test facility. The project aims to test cryogenic journal bearings lubricated with liquid methane. Before testing, the fluid management system, i.e. the valve controlled plant used to pressurize the liquid methane and to feed the test bearing, must experience installation and a pre-commissioning phase. Instructions about pipelines installation are given in the thesis. Then, a literature review of the pre-commissioning operations necessary to start up the plant and drafting of their requirements are carried out. Pre-commissioning includes pipelines pressure and leak test, pipelines and tanks purge and the plant setup with liquid nitrogen as working fluid. Troubleshooting procedures in case of upset conditions are also reviewed. Furthermore, by the use of mathematical models and the software MatLab, numerical simulations of such operations are carried out to predict fluids performances. Eventually, step-by-step instructions necessary to operators to run safe operations within the fluid system are written.