In-tank thermodynamics of slush hydrogen for the National Aerospace Plane
Abstract
A series of 14 pressurization and expulsion tests were performed with triple point and slush hydrogen in a horizontally positioned 1.9 cu m (500-gallon) cryogenic tank. The tank was instrumented to determine temperature distribution in the ullage gas and liquid/slush. The pressurization gas was nominally 80 K gaseous helium (GHe) and/or 300 K gaseous hydrogen (GH). The test results showed that there were marked differences in pressurization performance between GHe and GH, and with liquid or slush hydrogen. Pressurization of slush hydrogen with warm GH was much more rapid and efficient than with cold GHe. In addition, GHe pressurization of slush hydrogen took twice as long as pressurization of triple point hydrogen, while GH pressurization of triple point and slush hydrogen took about the same time. Pressurization and expulsion pressurization using GH resulted in substantial ullage pressure collapse at initiation of expulsion (possibly due to surging in the warm outflow line leading to interface disruption and ullage condensation.
- Publication:
-
Advances in Cryogenic Engineering. Vol. 35B - Proceedings of the 1989 Cryogenic Engineering Conference
- Pub Date:
- 1990
- Bibcode:
- 1990ACGE...35.1755C
- Keywords:
-
- Cryogenic Storage;
- Fuel Tank Pressurization;
- Liquid Hydrogen;
- Slush Hydrogen;
- Ullage;
- National Aerospace Plane Program;
- Storage Tanks;
- Temperature Distribution;
- Test Facilities;
- Thermodynamic Properties;
- Vacuum Pumps;
- Engineering (General)