Preliminary CFD Simulations of a Cryogenic Film Condensation Experiment

In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) is an enabling technology to maintain a sustainable presence on the Lunar and Martian surfaces. ISRU plants will require liquefaction technologies to accumulate cryogenic propellants such as oxygen and methane. Liquefaction involves injecting gaseous propellant into a tank with active cooling to promote condensation. CFD models can be utilized to predict liquefaction rates of cryogens at various operating conditions, such as injection flow rate, gas injection temperature, and heat removal rate. Preliminary CFD simulations of a fundamental cryogenic film condensation experiment have been performed to assess model accuracy and robustness. The experiment examined film condensation on a 55 mm by 23 mm vertical flat plate using methane, oxygen, and nitrogen. CFD predictions of film thickness and solid plate temperatures are compared to the experiment.