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Ventless Pressure Control of Cryogenic Storage Tanks

Barsi, Stephen
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1283125342

Abstract Details

2010, Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, EMC - Aerospace Engineering.
Future operations in space exploration will require the ability to store cryogenic liquids for long durations. During storage, the tanks may self-pressurize due to heat leaks from the ambient environment. When heat leaks into the tank, the cryogenic liquid vaporizes causing the ullage pressure to rise. Being able to effectively control tank pressure will make these long duration storage concepts feasible. One way to control tank pressure involves the use of a subcooled axial liquid jet to both thermally destratify the bulk liquid and remove energy from the tank. In this dissertation, the effectiveness of using subcooled jet mixing as a pressure control scheme is analyzed by performing a small-scale experiment in a normal gravity environment with a refrigerant. Following a period of self-pressurization, the jet's speed and degree of subcooling are parametrically varied so that relevant trends can be identified. Experimental results show that mixing the bulk liquid is not sufficient to control pressure. To sustain any pressure reduction, subcooling the mixing jet is necessary. The rate of pressure reduction is greater for increased jet speeds and subcooling. Analytical and computational models were developed in order to predict the pressurization behavior. Model comparisons reveal that generally a thermodynamic model underpredicts the self-pressurization and depressurization rates. The lack of agreement is primarily attributed to the homogeneity assumption inherent in the model. To improve model predictions, a zonal model is developed which relaxes the global homogeneity assumption. Comparisons between the experimental data and the zonal model predictions are excellent for moderate to high jet flow rates. For slower jet speeds, buoyant flow in the bulk liquid adversely affects the effectiveness of a subcooled mixing jet and a more detailed computational model is required to capture this intraphase phenomena.
Iwan Alexander (Committee Chair)
Mohammad Kassemi (Committee Member)
Donald Feke (Committee Member)
Kamotani Yasuhiro (Committee Member)
251 p.
Mechanical Engineering
cryogenic; pressurization; zero boil-off; heat transfer; phase change

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Barsi, S. (2010). Ventless Pressure Control of Cryogenic Storage Tanks [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1283125342

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Barsi, Stephen. Ventless Pressure Control of Cryogenic Storage Tanks. 2010. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1283125342.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Barsi, Stephen. "Ventless Pressure Control of Cryogenic Storage Tanks." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1283125342

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

case1283125342
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© 2010, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.