Cryogenic precision for a rocket launch base in French Guiana

Europe uses several spaceports, with one of them being located in South America. Operated by a French and European space agency, the site had to be upgraded to support the rocket launch of the latest space rocket. This rocket utilizes liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen as propellant, a new propulsion energy compatible with the increased payload capacity for communication satellites. 
To facilitate this technological leap, a new launch base was constructed. The propellant stores for liquid oxygen and hydrogen at the launch site are supplied by mobile tanks on both sides of the rocket launch zone, at a safety distance of 300 m. These tanks are linked to the launch platform foundations by underground galleries. Because transferring the cryogenic propellants requires the highest level of safety, KSB equipped the launch base with specialized cryogenic valves ensuring reliable and secure operation at extreme conditions.

Our client for this project, a leading European industrial gases company specialized in cryogenic applications, is responsible for providing solutions for the space rocket program, as he has in depth-expertise in “Extreme Cold” projects. The highly technical installations at the launch port's filling station involve liquefied gases such as Helium or Hydrogen. Our collaboration began in 2017, notably with Lilian Rey, valve sales engineer at our KSB Rhône Méditerranée agency. KSB helped the client not only with the technical solution by installing the cryogenic valves, but also by with comprehensive support throughout the complete planning and construction phase.

Setting up the filling stations and transport pipelines for the space rocket launch site involved a unique set of technical constraints. In liquid form, hydrogen and oxygen reach temperatures as low as –250 °C and –180 °C, respectively. Because hydrogen is highly explosive, the valves had to minimize any risk of leakage into the atmosphere, making tight control of fugitive emissions essential. Exceptional seat sealing performance was therefore a critical design requirement. Located in a tropical, marine environment, the rocket launch site also demanded components resistant to corrosion and humidity. Since the systems are directly involved in rocket launch operations, there was absolutely no room for failure.

For this demanding environment, KSB supplied cryogenic valves designed to operate reliably at extremely low temperatures and under the most stringent safety conditions.

KSB solved the technical problems of the new propellant station by forging a close partnership with the client's engineers. For safe and efficient liquid gas handling, KSB installed the DANAÏS CRYO AIR CL 150 valves (sizes DN150 to 500). These special cryovalves, developed at the KSB research centre in Gradignan and built at the La Roche-Chalais factory, handle fluids at extremely low temperatures. Their excellent sealing performance, reliability in critical environments, and long service life ensured perfect, safe operations. Crucially, the cryovalves offer flexibility and easy installation through unlimited mounting possibilities, including upside-down installation.

The cooperation with the client was a great success. The client selected KSB based on the established long-standing partnership approach and the demonstrated reliability of KSB products. KSB was able to fulfil all technical and commercial requirements without deviations, and perfectly complemented the client's expertise in cryogenic applications. The client chose KSB based on multiple factors: the partnership approach, competitive pricing, fast delivery times, and the proven reliability of the products. Moreover, KSB offered fast and excellent support throughout all project phases.

During project execution, specific challenges were managed by utilizing KSB's wide network of suppliers. This network was essential for handling complex and strict requirements while ensuring the delivery of robust, reliable, and cost-effective solutions.

— Jose Da Rocha, Business Developer Industrial Gases, KSB La Roche-Chalais

Client: A leading European industrial gases company specialized in cryogenic applications

Area of application: Liquefied Industrial Gas Handling 

Project data: 
Project duration: March 2019 – 2020
Commissioning: April 2021