Evolution of stratification in a cryogenic propellant tank at reduced gravity environment

27th International Cryogenics Engineering Conference and International Cryogenic Materials Conference 2018

Vishnu, S.B.^1 ; Kuzhiveli, Biju T^1

Centre for Advanced Studies in Cryogenics, National Institute of Technology Calicut, Kerala

673601, India^1

关键词: Cryogenic fluids;    Cryogenic propellant tanks;    Cryogenic storage tank;    Cryogenic tests;    Fluid velocities;    Microgravity conditions;    Reduced gravity;    Velocity correlations;   

Others  :  https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1757-899X/502/1/012067/pdf
DOI  :  10.1088/1757-899X/502/1/012067

来源: IOP

【 摘 要 】

The prediction of thermal stratification in a cryogenic storage tank is necessary for the successful execution of space mission. The working fluid may be stored in the sub-cooled conditions and possibility of heat infiltration may lead to the increase of temperature as well as the pressure of the cryogenic fluid. The rise in fluid pressure may also lead to cavitation in the turbo pump which has to be avoided. Commonly used stratification models are based on temperature and velocity correlation developed for flow over a flat plate. An experimental cryogenic test tank is designed, fabricated and stratification is studied using nitrogen as the model propellant. The effect of gravity on the evolution of stratification is studied by using a CFD model. The results show that the fluid velocity will be lesser at microgravity condition which causes the boundary layer fluid to absorb a large amount of heat and the nature of the heat transfer changes from convection to evaporation.Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.