Numerical Modeling of Cryogenic Fluid Management

Discipline: Passive Thermal

This lesson describes the basics of finite volume procedure in a fluid network and several applications of Cryogenic Fluid Management (CFM) using NASA’s Generalized Fluid System Simulation Program (GFSSP). GFSSP uses finite volume procedure to solve mass, momentum and energy conservation equations of fluid in conjunction with thermodynamic equation of state and energy conservation equation of solid. Four CFM applications considered in this lesson are: 1. Chilldown of a cryogenic transfer line, 2. No vent chill and fill of a cryogenic propellant tank, 3) Boil-off in a cryogenic propellant tank, 4) Self-pressurization of cryogenic propellant tank. Modeling of two phase flow, phase change and conjugate heat transfer are the highlights of these application problems.This lesson discusses recent progresses on numerical modeling of these applications and need for further research.