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Liquid Acquisition Devices for Advanced In-Space Cryogenic Propulsion Systems

Hartwig, Jason W
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1396562473

Abstract Details

2014, Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, EMC - Aerospace Engineering.
The enabling of all future in-space cryogenic engines and cryogenic fuel depots for future manned and robotic space exploration missions begins with technology development of advanced cryogenic fluid management systems upstream in the propellant tank. Gravity affects many fluidic processes, such as the separation of the liquid and vapor phases within the propellant tank. By design, all in-space cryogenic engines and cryogenic fuel depots require vapor free liquid delivery. To meet these fluid transfer requirements over a wide range of mission flow rates, gravitational and thermal environments, propellant management devices will be required to favorably position liquid and vapor within the tank. The purpose of this work is to develop such robust and flexible liquid acquisition devices (LAD), particularly for low surface tension cryogenic propellants operating in microgravity environments, through a battery of component level and full scale ground experiments, and development of analytical tools. Models are first developed from first principles for the influential factors which govern LAD performance, which include bubble point pressure, flow-through-screen pressure drop, wicking rate, and screen compliance. The literature is rigorously reviewed to gather data to validate the models. Then a series of parametric component level tests are conducted in room temperature liquids and cryogenic hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and methane to determine the effect of varying screen type, liquid, liquid temperature and pressure, and pressurant gas type and temperature on the bubble point pressure. LAD channels are then constructed, and full scale LAD outflow tests are conducted in liquid hydrogen to simulate fluid transfer from a propellant tank in a variable thermal environment, to determine pressure drop contributions, and to assess reliability of the LADs at cryogenic temperatures. One of the channels is thermally flight representative with a custom designed internal heat exchanger. Experimental results are used to update and assess analytical predictive models in cryogenic liquids for bubble point, reseal pressure, and pressure drop in the porous channel, and the updated models are used to determine the optimal LAD screen for a liquid hydrogen fuel depot operating in Low Earth Orbit. Additionally, performance of vanes in cryogenic liquids is compared against screen channels.
Yasuhiro Kamotani (Committee Chair)
Jaikrishnan Kadambi (Committee Member)
Jay Adin Mann Jr. (Committee Member)
David Chato (Committee Member)
837 p.
Aerospace Engineering; Alternative Energy; Chemical Engineering; Chemistry; Engineering; Experiments; Fluid Dynamics; Low Temperature Physics; Mathematics; Mechanical Engineering; Physics
cryogenics, surface tension, microgravity, propellant management device, evaporation, condensation, liquid hydrogen, liquid oxygen, liquid methane, screen channel liquid acquisition device, bubble point, heat exchanger, Navier Stokes, fuel depot, CPST

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hartwig, J. W. (2014). Liquid Acquisition Devices for Advanced In-Space Cryogenic Propulsion Systems [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1396562473

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hartwig, Jason. Liquid Acquisition Devices for Advanced In-Space Cryogenic Propulsion Systems. 2014. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1396562473.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hartwig, Jason. "Liquid Acquisition Devices for Advanced In-Space Cryogenic Propulsion Systems." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1396562473

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

case1396562473
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© 2014, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.