| Integrated Feed System Test Stand (FETS) is a testing facility
for the development of the liquid hydrogen turbopump for the LE-7A engine,
the first stage main engine of the H-IIA launch
vehicle. |
The role of the liquid hydrogen turbopump is to pump up cryogenic
liquid hydrogen (-253 degrees Celsius) from the rocket tank and pressurize
it up to approximately 30 MPa. The liquid hydrogen turbopump consists
of a cryogenic pump section (including a inducer and two impellers)
which pumps liquid hydrogen at a rate of 530 liter per second, and
a high-temperature turbine section which generates the rotating power.
In spite of being very compact, approximately 60 cm x 70 cm, the
shaft rotates 700 times per second generating 28,000 HP (The Shinkansen,
Japanese fastest bullet train, requires 20,000 HP of generating power).
It is safe to say that the high-pressure, high-power liquid hydrogen
turbopump is the heart of a liquid rocket engine.
 Features
of the FETS
The FETS enables tests in various conditions of liquid hydrogen
turbopumps, since it can change rotating speed, pump mass flow rate,
and pump inlet pressure etc. The turbine is driven not only by the
combustion gases but also by cold hydrogen gas. The exhaust gases
coming from the turbine as well as the high-pressure liquid hydrogen
emitted from the pump outlet are disposed safely in specific combustion
facilities.
Historical
development of our facilities
1979 |
Completion of the general equipment for feeding system testing. |
 |
Commencement of testing on the liquid hydrogen turbopump of
LE-5, the second-stage engine of the H-I launch vehicle. |
1980 |
Commencement of testing on the liquid hydrogen turbopump of
LE-5 |
1985 |
Enlargement of general equipment for feeding system testing. |
 |
Commencement of testing on the liquid hydrogen turbopump
of LE-7, the first-stage engine of the H-II launch vehicle. |
1986 |
Successful first launch of the H-I launch vehicle |
1994 |
Successful first launch of the H-II launch vehicle |
1996 |
Commencement of testing on the liquid hydrogen turbopump of
LE-7A, the first-stage engine of the H-IIA launch vehicle. |
2000 |
Commencement of testing on the liquid hydrogen turbopump of
LE-7A (Improved version). |
2001 |
Successful first launch of the H-IIA launch vehicle. |
At the time of its establishment, FETS contributed
to the development of the LE-5, the first Japanese liquid rocket
engine, conducting simultaneous testing of the liquid hydrogen
turbopump and the liquid oxygen turbopump. At present, since
the FETS facility has been upgraded, it is possible to test turbopumps
for large-sized liquid rocket engines, and activities are mainly
concentrated on development testing of the LE-7A liquid hydrogen
turbopump. Performance tests of liquid hydrogen turbopumps for
an actual flight of the H-IIA launch vehicle are carried out
using this facility.
Configuration
of the FETS
·Testing room |
|
In addition to the liquid hydrogen turbopump and the combustion
gas generator, many valves are needed to conduct experiments.
During testing, the room is filled up with nitrogen gas for safety.
This test room is also equipped with a monitoring camera, a hydrogen
gas leak detector, a fire detector and fire extinguishers. |
·High pressure gas storage |
|
This facility is consist of liquid hydrogen tanks for pump
suction, liquid oxygen tanks for combustion gas generation, turbine-driving
high-pressure hydrogen gas storage, etc. |
·Turbine exhaust gas disposal facility |
|
This facility mixes turbine exhaust gas and air, and burns
them safely. |
·Burn-pond |
|
This facility burns high pressure liquid hydrogen from the
pump outlet. |
·Control Center |
|
The control center measures the pressure and temperature in
various parts of the liquid hydrogen turbopump and operates,
monitors, and measures the facility pertinently. |
General view of FETS.
 |
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