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Science

DetlefK

(16,423 posts)

1. My best guess how they did it:

Reply to backscatter712 (Original post)

Thu Nov 29, 2012, 10:27 AM

Nov 2012

Liquid oxygen is paramagnetic. Those coils in the article are from an electromagnet that sucks the oxygen into the compressor once it has been pre-cooled by expansion (Joule-Thomson-effect). And it wouldn't cost them that much of electric energy if they use superconducting coils (it's f***ing cold in there anyways). And for the freezing moisture: Use hydrophobic surfaces like graphite or nanostructured surfaces with a lotus-effect.

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Skylon's Sabre engine passes key tests, endorsed by European Space Agency. [View all] backscatter712 Nov 2012 OP

My best guess how they did it: DetlefK Nov 2012 #1

My understanding is that the precooler chills the air with a fine network of tubes of liquid helium. backscatter712 Nov 2012 #2

Liquid Helium is too fickle and too expensive DetlefK Nov 2012 #3

All my googling indicates the SABRE does use liquid helium. backscatter712 Nov 2012 #4

I still can't wrap my head around this DetlefK Nov 2012 #5

Could you keep the liquid helium in a tank inside the liquid hydrogen? backscatter712 Nov 2012 #6

OK, I goofed - when I reread the news on the SABRE engine, it uses gaseous helium in the precooler. backscatter712 Dec 2012 #7