Cryogenic propellant testing is provided through P3 Testing Services, part of Barber-Nichols’ expanded test capabilities.
Cryogenic Propellant Testing
Flexible test support for cryogenic propellant systems, customer hardware, and advanced pump technologies for Aerospace, Defense, Hydrogen, and Advanced Energy Programs
Contact us to discuss your test requirementsThis capability gives customers a practical path to test cryogenic and propulsion hardware without building dedicated test infrastructure from scratch. The facility supports development, risk reduction, performance evaluation, and iterative testing for programs working with liquid hydrogen, liquid oxygen, gaseous hydrogen, gaseous helium, gaseous oxygen, gaseous nitrogen, and related cryogenic systems.
LH2, LOX, GH2, GOX, GHe, and GN2 test capability with flexible support for pumps, feed systems, components, and propulsion-related hardware.
Best Fit Applications
- Cryogenic pump testing
- LH2 and LOX component testing
- Feed system testing
- Electrified pump testing
- Hydrogen system validation
- Propulsion subsystem testing
- R&D, qualification, endurance, and performance testing
Available Gases
- All major commodity gases are available
- H2, N2, He, Methane, Argon, CO2, etc. up to 6,000 psia
- Supplied via K-bottles and tube trailer
What we can help test
- Customer-supplied hardware
- Cryogenic pumps
- Electric motor-driven pumps
- Propellant feed components
- Valves and fluid control hardware
- Cryogenic fluid management hardware
- Propulsion system components
- BN-developed pump and turbomachinery technologies
- Development and qualification test articles
- Instrumented prototypes
Independent Test Cells
- Three 20’ x 20’ with 3-phase power
- Fuel, oxidizer, and combustion rated
- Infrared and high-speed video
- Remote control room with data acquisition system
Liquid Hydrogen
- 25,000 gallon run tank
- 100 gpm capability
- Saturated and sub-cooled inlet conditions
Liquid Oxygen
- 11,000-gallon run tank
- 100 gpm capability
- Saturated and sub-cooled inlet conditions
Why customers use Barber-Nichols for propellant testing
Flexible test access
Customers can access cryogenic test infrastructure without committing to the cost, schedule, and staffing burden of building a dedicated facility.
Engineering support
Barber-Nichols brings turbomachinery, cryogenic, propulsion, and test experience into the planning and execution of each test campaign.
Development-focused approach
The facility is designed to support iterative hardware development, troubleshooting, data collection, and risk reduction.
Electrified pump testing
The facility’s power capability supports electrified pump and propulsion hardware testing.
How to start a test discussion
To evaluate your test requirements, Barber-Nichols will typically review:
- Hardware type
- Fluid media
- Flow and pressure targets
- Temperature requirements
- Power requirements
- Instrumentation needs
- Test objectives
- Schedule needs
- Safety and compliance considerations
- Data output requirements
Contact Barber-Nichols to discuss your cryogenic propellant testing needs
