SESSION 3 - The silent threat: icing

Mr Chris Porter, Program Manager , NASA GRC/Jacobs Technology, USA

SESSION 3 - NASA GRC Icing Research Tunnel (IRT) & Cooling System Upgrade

Funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 has made it possible for NASA's Aeronautics Test Program (ATP) to promote significant upgrades to the capabilities of some of its test facilities. As one of its largest, most used facilities the Icing Research Tunnel (IRT) at the Glenn Research Center (GRC) in Cleveland, Ohio has been selected to receive an increased operating envelope by replacing the refrigeration plant system. The competitive selection process resulted in Jacobs Technology Inc. being contracted by NASA to replace the existing refrigeration system, which was originally installed in 1944, with a modern system with increased capacity and enhanced operability. To minimize the risks to this highly utilized national asset the NASA management has elected to deviate from the standard owner managed design/bid/build procurement method and use a turnkey design/build contract. Jacobs is providing NASA with innovative solutions to both the technical and construction challenges whilst minimizing the facility down time. The presentation will focus on replacement of the refrigeration plant, replacement of the wind tunnel heat exchanger, and the design/build delivery of the upgrades.
 

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