A KSC engineer describes the new fertilizer-producing facility near Launch Pad 39A

[KSC-00PP-0511]

  • Photo Number: KSC-00PP-0511

  • Release Date: 07-Apr-2000

    • Description: Clyde Parrish, a NASA/KSC engineer, explains how the fertilizer scrubber control panel (center) works to turn nitrogen tetroxide vapor into fertilizer, potassium hydroxide. Parrish developed the system, which uses a "scrubber," to capture nitrogen tetroxide vapor that develops as a by-product when it is transferred from ground storage tanks into the Shuttle storage tanks. Nitrogen tetroxide is used as the oxidizer for the hypergolic propellant in the Shuttle's on-orbit reaction control system. The scrubber then uses hydrogen peroxide to produce nitric acid, which, after adding potassium hydroxide, converts to potassium nitrate. The resulting fertilizer will be used on the orange groves that KSC leases to outside companies.

    Resolution Format Width
    (Pixels)    		 Height
    (Pixels)    		 Size
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    Thumbnail GIF 100 68 10373
    Slide GIF 172 150 37188
    Low GIF 320 218 99365
    Medium JPEG 1024 696 146639
    High JPEG 2670 1816 760591

    Point of Contact

    Name: NASA Kennedy Space Center

    Address:

    KSC Public Affairs Office
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
John F. Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899

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    Photos By: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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    Last Updated: Friday October 24 12:10:09 EDT 2003 (Anita Barrett)

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