Masters Category - Low Gravity Natural Convection and Pool Boiling Predictions

Start Date

5-4-2021 12:00 PM

End Date

5-4-2021 12:30 PM

Document Type

Presentation

Abstract

Cryogenic fluids are used in various fields, such as biomedical technology, food transportation, and aerospace. These fluids have optimal properties as an energy-dense fuel for long-term, large payload space flight. Much of the resulting research in long-duration cryogenic fluid storage has focused on zero-boil-off tank pressure control in low gravity environments. The high cost of testing these systems has created a need for modeling these environments. Simulations of tank pressure control require accurate models of evaporation and condensation phase change. Recent advancements in commercial fluid dynamics simulation software offer potential to better simulate evaporation/condensation phase change. The goal of the present work is to use commercial software to simulate pool boiling of cryogenic propellants in low gravity. The volume of fluid approach with the Lee phase change model, which predicts heat and mass transfer at the liquid vapor interface, has been recently added to the commercial software. Accurately modeling natural convection is a key component of simulating pool boiling. Results from natural convection simulations at low gravity levels are presented and are comparable to experimental data and previously published numerical simulations. Future plans for nucleate pool boiling simulations are also presented.

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Apr 5th, 12:00 PM Apr 5th, 12:30 PM

Masters Category - Low Gravity Natural Convection and Pool Boiling Predictions

Cryogenic fluids are used in various fields, such as biomedical technology, food transportation, and aerospace. These fluids have optimal properties as an energy-dense fuel for long-term, large payload space flight. Much of the resulting research in long-duration cryogenic fluid storage has focused on zero-boil-off tank pressure control in low gravity environments. The high cost of testing these systems has created a need for modeling these environments. Simulations of tank pressure control require accurate models of evaporation and condensation phase change. Recent advancements in commercial fluid dynamics simulation software offer potential to better simulate evaporation/condensation phase change. The goal of the present work is to use commercial software to simulate pool boiling of cryogenic propellants in low gravity. The volume of fluid approach with the Lee phase change model, which predicts heat and mass transfer at the liquid vapor interface, has been recently added to the commercial software. Accurately modeling natural convection is a key component of simulating pool boiling. Results from natural convection simulations at low gravity levels are presented and are comparable to experimental data and previously published numerical simulations. Future plans for nucleate pool boiling simulations are also presented.