Two-Phase Flow Behavior in a Liquid Propellant Tank

摘要

To give appropriate assessment of propellant management systems for space application, the behavior of two-phase flows under low gravity conditions was both experimentally and numerically studied. By use of a numerical analysis method with C-CUP (CIP Combined Unified Procedure) scheme coupled with Level Set method and CSF (Continuum Surface Force) model, the flow fields in a liquid rocket propellant tank were simulated. Main concern was placed on the generation of a deep dip of the gas phase. The numerical results were compared with corresponding experimental data obtained in a drop tower, and they showed good agreement. The generation of the dip was clearly revealed, and the phenomenon of gas suction was properly reproduced in the simulation. The effect of gravity force on the dip generation was studied, and it was found that the dip generation was alleviated with increase in the gravity force.