Structured packing liquid holdup in cryogenic systems

Experimental results and a theoretical analysis are presented on structured packing liquid holdup under cryogenic conditions. The experimental tests were performed on a novel laboratory unit incorporating a gas lift pump to recirculate the cryogenic liquid in a flow visualization dewar. Holdup is measured by sensing the difference in level in the dewar when the liquid flow is shut off after a constant operation at a given liquid loading. A dimensional analysis is performed to identify the important system properties that affect the liquid holdup. The preliminary experimental data are compared against a correlation developed from the dimensional analysis.     

Investigation of cryogenic level sensors for LN2 and LOX

Investigations of two different types of cryogenic level sensors (capacitance and High Temperature Superconductor (HTS) for level measurement of liquid nitrogen (LN₂) and liquid oxygen (LOX) are presented here. They were tested for an active length of 400 mm in LOX and LN₂. A discrete diode array level sensor was used as a primary standard for calibrating these sensors. Comparative studies on linearity, sensitivity and other parameters at the operating temperatures are presented.     

基于AMESim的液氮可控传输性能分析

针对超低温冷却加工液氮可控传输难题,分析了热流量、管路压降等复杂因素对液氮可控传输的影响机制,提出了基于AMESim的液氮可控传输性能分析方法,建立了受热管道液氮两相流动传热数值模型,并在此基础上,研制出一套液氮可控传输原理性系统。通过对比实验表明,提高系统的输入压力能够增大低温流体的流量,缩短系统进入热平衡状态的时间,提高输出流体的干度和流型的稳定性;研制出的液氮可控传输原理性系统在输入压力为1.3 MPa时,在一定的开口范围内,能够稳定输出流量可控的低干度流体,且符合超低温冷却加工的要求。     

Capacitance based mass metering for cryogenic fluids

This paper describes a method for measuring the mass of cryogenic fluids in on-board rocket propellant tanks or ground storage tanks. Linear approximations to the Clausius-Mossotti relationship serve as the foundation for a capacitance based mass sensor, regardless of fluid density stratification or tank shape. Sensor design considerations are presented along with the experimental results for a capacitance based mass gage tested in liquid nitrogen. This test data is shown to be consistent with theory resulting in a demonstrated mass measurement accuracy of ±0.75% and a deviation from linearity of less than ±0.30% of full scale mass. Theoretical accuracies are also shown to be ±0.73% for hydrogen and ±1.39% for oxygen for a select range of pressures and temperatures.     

气液两相低温流体空泡率测量技术及其进展

对目前几种用于测量低温气液两相流空泡率方法的基本原理、传感器结构及国内外研究情况进行了综述,包括辐射法(射线吸收法)、微波法、射频法、电容法,分析了4种方法的优缺点,在比较4种方法的基础上,提出了目前采用电容传感器测量气液两相低温液体空泡率的优势及设计准则.     

柔性极板电容式液位传感器的研究和应用

目的 为了解决传统硬质极板电容式液位传感器在曲面容器上性能不佳的问题.方法 从寄生电容的基本原理出发,研发一种可以包覆于圆柱面容器的柔性极板电容式液位传感器,建立液位与电容量间的数学关系,完成相应的软、硬件设计,通过STM32与柔性极板电容式液位传感器之间的I2C通信,实现液位传感器的在线水位检测,完成传感器性能测试实验,包括线性度、重复性、迟滞特性,并提出一种基于该传感器的流量测量方法.结果 该传感器工作稳定,具有良好线性度,重复性误差为2.70％,在有效测量范围的迟滞特性参数都小于1.69％.结论 该柔性极板电容式液位传感器安装使用便捷、与容器外壁贴合度较好,且测量结果不受容器水平横截面积、待测液体成分的限制,可以实时监测连续液位的变化.制作的传感器可以用在直径20 mm和更小的待测容器上,也可用作微小流量测量.     

Numerical investigation of nitrogen spontaneous condensation flow in cryogenic nozzles using varying nucleation theories

The thermodynamic irreversible loss by condensation can have an important influence on the flow characteristics and thermal efficiency in air or nitrogen cryogenic turbo-expander involving spontaneous condensation flow. However, the design of wet type turbo-expander for cryogenic liquid plants has been constrained due to the complexity of nucleation theory and the difficulty of data measurement in cryogenic environments. This paper presents numerical simulations for prediction of nitrogen spontaneous condensation flow in cryogenic nozzles. The non-equilibrium simulations were performed using three nucleation theories with the help of ANSYS CFX solver. The standard Redlich-Kwong gas state equation and Eulerian–Eulerian governing equations were used in simulations. Comparison with the equilibrium condensation model the non-equilibrium condensation model achieves a better prediction of the flow characteristics for spontaneous condensation flow in cryogenic environments. The nucleation theory which is based on classical nucleation theory (CNT) and improved by Kantrowitz for non-isothermal effects shows a better prediction of pressure drop, location of condensation onset and supercooling compared with experimental data. The influence of varying nucleation theories on the calculation of nucleation rate, the supercooling distribution and the liquid mass fraction distribution were also analyzed.     

Non-power-dissipating continuous level monitors for liquid nitrogen and helium

Capacitive devices with active lengths up to 460 mm have been developed for the continuous reading of cryogenic liquid levels without power dissipation. Resolutions of ± 0.7 mm for liquid nitrogen and ± 1 mm for liquid and superfluid helium have been achieved. Sensor construction, an electronic circuit for capacitance measurement using the technique of charging with constant current and an automatic filling unit for LN₂ are presented.     

Numerical study of liquid nitrogen cavitating flow through nozzles of various shapes

The cavitating flow of cryogenic liquid through a spray nozzle is influenced by many factors, such as unique thermophysical properties of cryogenic liquid, the inflow temperature and the complicated geometrical structure of the spray nozzle. The geometrical parameters of liquid nitrogen spray nozzles have a profound impact on cavitating flow which in turn affects spray atomization characteristics and cooling performance. In present study, CFD simulations are performed to investigate influence of the nozzle geometry on the liquid nitrogen cavitating flow. The mixture model is used to describe the liquid-vapor two phase flow, and both the cavitation and evaporation are considered for the phase change. The predictions of mass flow of liquid nitrogen spray are validated against experimental results. The effects of geometric parameters, including the outlet orifice diameter and the length of nozzle, the inlet edge angle of orifice, the inlet corner radius of orifice, the orifice shape and different positions of swirl vanes, are investigated under a wide range of pressure difference and inflow temperature. The results show that the effects of geometric parameters on cavitating flow show different trends under subcooled conditions compared with saturated temperature conditions. The flow characteristics are more affected by the changes of the inlet edge angle, the inlet corner radius, and the orifice shape. The insert of swirl vanes has an effect on the distribution of the cavitated vapor within the orifice, but it has little influence on flow characteristics. The results could enrich our knowledge of liquid nitrogen cavitating flow in spray nozzles of various shapes.     

泵内压降和水力损失耦合诱导泵内液氮空化研究

为了研究泵内压降和水力损失耦合诱导泵内液氮空化,采用Zwart空化模型和RNG k-ε湍流模型,并使用CEL语言将饱和蒸气压随温度变化函数关系式导入CFX软件中进行求解,对不同流量下低温泵的空化特性曲线进行分析。研究结果表明,低温泵内压力、温度和空泡体积分数分布与空化的发展程度有关,由于水力损失的作用,小流量工况下,泵内会出现涡状流,从而对叶轮内空化产生影响。     

液氮流动沸腾数值模拟研究进展

对已有的针对低温流体的数值模拟进行了总结,比较了可用于液氮流动沸腾的数学模型,指出数值模拟液氮流动沸腾中尚待解决的问题,并对垂直环行管道中的液氮流动沸腾进行了数值模拟.     

Wicking of liquid nitrogen into superheated porous structures

Evaporation in porous elements of liquid–vapor separation devices can affect the vapor-free cryogenic propellant delivery to spacecraft engines. On that account, the capillary transport of a cryogenic liquid subjected to evaporation needs to be understood and assessed. We investigate wicking of liquid nitrogen at saturation temperature into superheated porous media. A novel test facility was built to perform wicking experiments in a one-species system under non-isothermal conditions. A setup configuration enabled to define the sample superheat by its initial position in a stratified nitrogen vapor environment inside the cryostat. Simultaneous sample weight and temperature measurements indicated the wicking front velocity. The mass of the imbibed liquid nitrogen was determined varying the sample superheat, geometry and porous structure. To the author’s extent of knowledge, these are the first wicking experiments performed with cryogenic fluids subjected to evaporation using the weight–time measurement technique. A one-dimensional macroscopic model describes the process theoretically. Results revealed that the liquid loss due to evaporation at high sample superheats leads to only a slight imbibition rate decrease. However, the imbibition rate can be greatly affected by the vapor flow created due to evaporation that counteracts the wicking front propagation.     

Torsional sensor applications in two-phase fluids

A solid corrosion-resistant torsional waveguide of diamond cross section has been developed to sense, online and in real-time, the characteristics of the liquid in which it is submerged. The sensor can measure, among other things, the liquid content of a bubbly medium, the density of adjacent pure liquids, the equivalent density of liquid-vapor mixtures or particulate suspensions, a suspension's concentration, and the liquid level. The sensor exploits the phenomenon that the speed of propagation of a torsional stress wave in a submerged waveguide with a noncircular cross section is inversely proportional to the equivalent density of the liquid in which the waveguide is submerged. The sensor may be used to conduct measurements along distances ranging from 20 mm to 20 m and over a wide range of temperatures and pressures, e.g., from the cryogenic temperature of liquid nitrogen, -196 degrees C, up to hot pressurized water at 300 degrees C and 7 MPa. A self-calibrating three-zone sensor and associated electronics have also been developed to compensate for any sensor inaccuracies due to operation over a wide range of temperature.     

车载LNG储罐蒸发率的理论与试验

为研究车载LNG低温绝热气瓶内液体的蒸发规律,以200 L高真空多层绝热气瓶为例,采用液氮(LN2)为工质,进行了一系列LN2日蒸发率试验。列出根据实验系统结构参数得到的相关传热学计算结果,包括试验系统分别贮存LN2和LNG各项漏热及理论蒸发率。对理论计算与实验结果进行比较,通过理论计算结果与LN2蒸发率实验结果对LNG试验蒸发率作了预测。根据大气压力下进行的各种充满率的LN2蒸发率实验,拟合出了系统蒸发率与充满率的关系曲线,并分析了系统中环境温度和压力对蒸发率的影响规律。     

手持蓄压式液氮冷冻治疗器

本文介绍了一种新型的手持蓄压式液氮冷冻治疗器,它以不锈钢真空绝热瓶做主体,在瓶盖上安装有拉杆柱塞式喷射阀和安全阀等,拉下拉杆,液氮以较大的射流喷出,还能通过各号冷喷冷喷针喷出力度大的细束液氮液,操作便捷,使用安全,治疗效果好,可用于美容,皮肤科,五官科,口腔科,妇科,肿瘤等的冷冻治疗。     

Qualitative details of the complex flow in cryogenic vapour columns

A 2-dimensional flow visualization technique has revealed a double thermo-syphon type flow in low temperature vapour columns above boiling liquid nitrogen. The qualitative shape of the velocity profiles, the growth of the boundary layer at the wall of the containing vessel, and other flow parameters are presented. The thermo-syphon process appears to be responsible for a considerable source of heat flux into the cryogenic liquid.     

Analysis of the performance of a sintered stainless steel wire mesh filter for cryogenic liquid purification

As a traditional and mature solid-liquid separating technique, filtration has been adopted in cryogenic liquid purification system owing to its low energy cost, simplified system, long lifetime and high purifying efficiency. Whereas, few data or result of filtration performance at low temperature is put forward in literatures, most of which are related to room and high temperatures applications. Furthermore, as an excellent cryogenic material, stainless steel medium is suitable for cryogenic liquid filtration, which is also seldom reported. In this paper, we propose a filtration system for purifying CO₂ particles from liquid nitrogen using a sintered stainless steel wire mesh filter with a nominal filtration degree of 0.5 μm, and characterize the separation behavior of this kind of filter medium at cryogenic temperature. Experimental results show that the whole filtration process can be divided into three stages with sufficient particle concentration in the feed slurry according to the evolution of pressure drop. Differences between surface filtration and depth filtration are demonstrated, and the influence of growth of filter cake is characterized. Pressure drop increases with increasing feed slurry flow and CO₂ concentration, and evolution tendency of filtration efficiency is affected by its calculation method. By comparison with the filtration at room and high temperatures, the effects of temperature on the fluid and media are emphasized.     

结霜工况下空温式翅片管气化器传热试验研究

为深入掌握低温液体在空温式翅片管汽化器内的气化情况以及其与翅片管表面霜层生长的相互影响规律,以液氮为介质进行了低温液体在空温式翅片管气化器内的气化试验。通过热电偶和刻度带分别对翅片管上不同位置的温度和霜层厚度进行了测量,并分析了翅片管表面霜层的生长规律及翅片管内低温液体的流动特性。结果表明:气化器表面结霜过程受冷表面温度影响较大,冷表面温度越低,结霜速率越大,霜层越厚。结霜工况下的气化器工作状态分预冷和稳态两种工作状态。预冷工作状态低温液体进入气化器后迅速气化,其过程包含气液两相和单气相两个换热段。稳态工作状态低温液体在气化器内气化经历单液相、气液两相、单气相三个换热段,单液相段翅片管表面结霜最为严重,单气相段翅片管表面无霜晶形成。因此认为,可通过分状态分段设计空温式翅片管气化器从而减弱结霜对翅片管传热的影响,提高气化器换热效率。     

Flow and heat transfer on cryogenic flow boiling during tube quenching under upward and downward flow

The gravity effects on quenching of tube by cryogenic fluids for the development of cryogenic fluid management on orbit are studied. In this paper, the effects of the tube diameter, the flow directions, and the mass velocity on the tube quenching using liquid nitrogen are investigated systematically in the terrestrial conditions. The experiments are performed by the mass velocity between 100–600 kg/m²s in downward and upward flow directions by using three difference inner diameters of the transparent heated tube (7, 10, 13.6 mm) for measuring fluid behavior observations and heat transfer measurements simultaneously. The results indicate that the difference between the minimum heat fluxes under downward and upward flow conditions increased as the mass velocity increased. These characteristics of heat transfer were caused by filamentary flow pattern that was found in only downward flow and high mass velocity conditions.     

Fiber optic Raman sensor to monitor the concentration ratio of nitrogen and oxygen in a cryogenic mixture

A spontaneous Raman scattering optical fiber sensor was developed for a specific need of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for long-term detection and monitoring of the purity of liquid oxygen (LO(2)) in the oxidizer feed line during ground testing of rocket engines. The Raman peak intensity ratios for liquid nitrogen (LN(2)) and LO(2) with varied weight ratios (LN(2)/LO(2)) were analyzed for their applicability to impurity sensing. The study of the sensor performance with different excitation light sources has helped to design a miniaturized, cost-effective system for this application. The optimal system response time of this miniaturized sensor for LN(2)/LO(2) measurement was found to be in the range of a few seconds. It will need to be further reduced to the millisecond range for real-time, quantitative monitoring of the quality of cryogenic fluids in a harsh environment.