Innovating in rocket engine development must be completed with rigorous testing, as “Zero Failure” is required. For that purpose, a reliable testing infrastructure is required—one that will withstand extreme test conditions, assuring test reliability.
A leading European aerospace company is doing exactly that. Building the next-generation Integrated Engine Testing Facility. When it comes to valve selection for their system, these High-Pressure cryogenic valves must meet the highest standards of performance, safety, and responsiveness. Selecting Habonim HP Cryogenic valves was a natural choice for the engineering team.
This Blog outlines how Habonim cryogenic, control cryogenic, and high-pressure cryogenic valves play a part in the high-stakes aerospace testing environment, supporting the development of a two-stage orbital launch vehicle using liquid oxygen (LOX) and sub-cooled propane, with notable success.
Cryogenic Control in a Demanding Test Environment
At the core of the rocket launch engine development project was the Integrated Engine Testing Facility—a purpose-built installation designed to replicate real-world launch conditions. The system was engineered to manage:
- Cryogenic fluids such as Liquefied Oxygen (LOX), Liquefied Propane, and Liquefied Nitrogen
- High-pressure gas systems operate at pressures ranging from 10 bar to 300 bar. Some gases exist in a liquid state (cryogenic), while others, at high pressure, have boiling points of -198.5°C or -42.1°C.
- Extreme low temperatures can reach as low as −195.8 °C (or 77.4 K).
- Piping line sizes from 0.5” to 2.5” (DN 15 – DN65)
- Rapid thermal and pressure cycling
- Vibration and heat exposure during hot-fire engine tests
To support these conditions, the facility requires a diverse mix of manual valves, automated on/off valves, and precision control valves—each capable of maintaining consistent performance under extreme and variable loads.
Habonim's Cryogenic Valve Product Family is a natural choice
The engineering team chose Habonim valves to be used across the Integrated Engine Testing Facility's main gas lines, based on more than a single key factor:
- Un parallel installation base with record reliability in similar Rocket Launch Engine Testing Facilities around the globe and with the global leading rocket engines manufacturers and launching companies for decades
- Proven expertise in cryogenic valve technology, particularly for LOX in high pressures, sub-cooled propane, and cryogenic flow control.
- Fast, responsive technical support throughout the design and commissioning phases
- Specific engineered components, including Monel 400 internals, seals materials selection, and specific end connections for high pressures
- Accelerated production and delivery to meet tight project timelines
- ATEX-certified valve automation packages for safe operation in explosive environments
This combination of deep technical know-how and operational reliability made Habonim a trusted partner in the project’s execution.
Valves That Perform in Demanding Applications
The rocket engine test facility has a range of cryogenic valves that fit perfectly to the application:
- Manual Cryogenic Bi-Directional flouting ball valves, C47-BD series with Grayloc© ends for compact, high-integrity connections (Grayloc© is a registered trademark of Grayloc Products, L.L.C.)
- High-pressure Cryogenic Control valves, CN28 Series supplied as a fully integrated and tested automation package with Habonim CompAct actuators and control accessories, for precise cryogenic high-pressure flow regulation.
- High-pressure valves, 27 Series rated up to 300 bar, built to withstand repeated test cycles.
These valves played a central role in managing cryogenic and high-pressure flows to the test article, enabling safe, repeatable engine firings under extreme conditions.
Rigorous Compliance and Safety Standards
All Habonim valves are designed and manufactured in accordance with key industry standards, including:
- ISO 15848-1 (fugitive emissions)
- EN 1626 and EN 12567 (cryogenic applications)
- SIL 2/3 (Safety Integrity Level) for control applications
- PED (Pressure Equipment Directive)
- ATEX certification for explosive environments
These certifications ensured full compliance with the safety and performance requirements for aerospace launching testing environments.
Performance and Operational Insights
Over a 12-month period, the Integrated Engine Testing Facility successfully executed hundreds of test sequences, including numerous hot-fire events. The cryogenic valve systems supported consistent ignition and chamber pressure performance, enabling parallel progress in engine testing and design refinement.
The valves delivered reliable performance throughout repeated thermal and pressure cycling, enhancing system integrity and ensuring consistent test results. This allowed the engineering team to maintain precise control over fluid dynamics, even under rapidly changing conditions.
Technical Takeaways from the Project
This project demonstrates the importance of selecting valves that are compliant with aerospace launching standards, reliable, and of the required quality. Such that are supplied alongside the technical know-how and support to optimally suit the specific demands of the specific system, such as high-pressure, low temperatures, and high-frequency test repetitions. Key factors for the valve performance in such a demanding application:
- Material compatibility with LOX and sub-cooled propane
- Mechanical resilience under vibration and thermal stress
- Precision actuation for flow control during transient events
- Certification alignment with ISO, EN, SIL, PED, and ATEX standards
- And more
By focusing on these parameters, the project team ensured that the fluid control infrastructure could support both immediate testing objectives and future scalability.
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