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Completed TRL 4 (started at 3, targeting 6)
Project Objective
1) Develop a model for liquefaction process of GOX inside a chilled elliptical tank, and 2) Incorporate model into Generalized Fluid System Simulation Program (GFSSP).
Project Description
The presented work is an infrastructure investment for development of a unique and new capability that is incorporated into Generalized Fluid System Simulation Program (GFSSP). Furthermore, it can enhance modeling capability and provide engineers with a more comprehensive and user-friendly tool that will allow them to conduct ground gaseous oxygen (GOX) liquefaction testing efficiently as well as design, perform trade studies and optimize the entire in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) system for liquefaction process of produced GOX, which may have an impact in reducing overall costs as well as increasing efficiencies of ISRU systems.
Project Results and Conclusions
A cylindrical tank comprised of ellipsoidal cap top and bottom sections, in 1-g environment, is considered. The tank is supplied continuously with a constant mass flow rate of GOX from a source at specified constant pressure and temperature. Furthermore, the tank wall is assumed to be refrigerated uniformly at a constant temperature below saturation of the ullage inside of the tank. Ullage is a single species gas (GOX in this work). It is assumed that film condensation occurs on the walls, and the condensation processes are relatively slow so that quasi-steady models can be applied. The developed transient model is based on the mass and energy conservation principles and wall-gas and liquid-gas interfacial mass and heat transfer models. The model is incorporated into the GFSSP, an MSFC in-house general-purpose fluid analyzer. The model predictions were compared with the liquid oxygen (LOX) CryoFILL test data [testing was conducted at the Glenn Research Center (GRC) in 2022] for low, low- mid-, and high-fill level cases. The model predictions for fill levels are in good agreements with those of data.
This GFSSP product can enhance modeling capability and provide engineers with a more comprehensive and user-friendly tool that will allow them to conduct ground GOX liquefaction testing efficiently as well as design, perform trade studies, and optimize the entire ISRU system for liquefaction process of produced GOX, which may have an impact in reducing overall costs as well as increasing efficiencies of ISRU systems. Furthermore, advantages of GFSSP over similar commercial codes include: 1) there are not any costs associated with GFSSP licensing and training fees, and 2) GFSSP is a user-friendly and easy-to-use software with a quick learning curve.
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