Heat and mass transfer in a cryogenic tank in case of active-pressurization

Abstract

Predicting the pressurant requirements is one of the key challenges for cryogenic propulsion systems. In this context, a numerical model to simulate the tank pressurization that considers evaporation and condensation phenomena was developed and applied. The novel solver combines a gradient-based phase change model with a weakly compressible multiphase solver of OpenFOAM based on the pressure implicit method with splitting of operator (PISO) algorithm. To maintain a sharp interface the mass source terms are applied to the cells adjacent to the interface. First, the model is validated against two analytical solutions: the one-dimensional phase change problem and secondly, the growth of a vapor bubble in a superheated liquid in the absence of gravity. In a second step, the validated model was applied to a cryogenic pressurization experiment. The measured pressure behavior could be confirmed with the numerical model being in a good approximation. With the numerical model further insights into the physical behavior could be achieved. The condensation and evaporation effects have a significant impact on the pressure development during and after the pressurization. The mass flows due to phase change occurring at the vapor-liquid interface depend on interface location and time. Directly at the wall, evaporation becomes dominant while condensation occurs at the center area of the liquid surface.