Benchmark Performance Metrics of a Vane Propellant Management Device for a 0.15 m3 Liquid Hydrogen TankThe use of cryogenic propellants has and will continue to play an integral role in manned-space exploration due the high specific impulses offered and its ubiquity through in-situ resource utilization. But guaranteeing vapor-free transfer of such low-surface tension liquids is difficult for traditional capillary-action propellant management devices (PMDs). Screen-channel liquid acquisition devices and compliant origami bladders are potential solutions, but to quantify the benefits these technologies offer, this paper present a cast study analyzing the performance metrics of an orthodox vane PMD as a benchmark for comparison. A 0.15 m3 liquid hydrogen tank at 20.3 K and 103 kPa was selected for study. Then assuming no body forces and no heat transfer (for simplicity), a steady-state 1-D differential equation was numerically solved in tandem with four possible wetted area configurations to yield an expulsion efficiency for a theoretically maximum inputted expulsion flow rate. Maximization of the flow rate was constrained by the onset of choked flow. Additional inputs, including vane height and vane number, were parametrically varied between 0.1 – 10 cm and 4 – 28 vanes, respectively.
Document ID
20230009925
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Presentation
Authors
K. Westra (Washington State University Pullman, Washington, United States)
J. Hartwig (Glenn Research Center Cleveland, Ohio, United States)
Date Acquired
July 5, 2023
Publication Date
July 9, 2023
Subject Category
Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics
Meeting Information
Meeting: 25th Cryogenic Engineering Conference and International Cryogenic Materials Conference