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Brayton technology for the -80°C freezer of the international space station.

Author(s) : CHEGANÇAS J., GUICHARD J., WEBER J.

Summary

The Minus Eighty degrees Celsius Laboratory Freezer for the International Space Station (ISS), MELFI, is the first freezer delivered to NASA as Laboratory Support Equipment by the European Space Agency (ESA). From the beginning, the technology for a -80 °C freezer was identified as very critical to develop. The technical specification imposed low induced vibrations, reduced electrical power consumption and preservation of the scientific samples even when no electrical power is available. The technology selected for the cold power generation is based on the reverse Brayton thermo-dynamical cycle using a high-speed rotating machine with the compressor and the turbine wheels mounted on the same shaft supported by gas bearings. The thermal barriers rely on vacuum insulation for reducing the electrical power consumption. The paper explains how the technology has been adapted for space missions. Potential future evolutions of the product and its utilization will answer additional needs already identified by NASA for scientific research inside the ISS.

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Details

  • Original title: Brayton technology for the -80°C freezer of the international space station.
  • Record ID : 2005-2571
  • Languages: English
  • Source: 21st IIR International Congress of Refrigeration: Serving the Needs of Mankind.
  • Publication date: 2003/08/17

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