Abstract
Cryogenic cavitation affects the operation of liquid propulsion systems during the first phase of a launch. Its effects within orifices or turbopumps can range from mild instabilities to catastrophic damages to the structures, jeopardizing the launch itself. Therefore, to ensure the proper designing of propulsion systems, cavitation phenomena cannot be neglected. Although hydrodynamic cavitation has been studied for decades, the impact of the nature of the fluid has been sparsely investigated. Therefore, this review, beginning from the basic concepts of cavitation, analyzes the literature dedicated to hydrodynamic cryogenic cavitation through an orifice. Our review provides a clear vision of the state-of-the-art from experimental and modeling viewpoints, identifies the knowledge gaps in the literature, and proposes a way to further investigate cryogenic cavitation in aerospace science.
Highlights
Propulsion systems in liquid rocket engines are strongly affected by multi-phase transient and thermal phenomena during their startup phases
We identify and evaluate the principal knowledge gaps and the open research questions regarding the thermodynamic effects on hydrodynamic cavitation
Our literature review shows the complexity of cavitation modeling, since it requires a set of equations considering the whole phenomenon, from its inception to its final phase
Summary
Propulsion systems in liquid rocket engines are strongly affected by multi-phase transient and thermal phenomena during their startup phases. When a spacecraft is launched, the propellant tanks are pressurized, and the latch valve opens to fill and pressurize the propellant lines of the spacecraft. This is the moment when a two-phase flow is produced, first due to the chilldown of the propellant line, to cavitation, impending from the passage of the fluid through valves or other restrictions, and from fluid hammer transients caused by the rapid opening of the valve. Among the phenomena mentioned above, cavitation plays a critical role in designing the propellant line system, including valves and other singularities. Hydrodynamic cavitation has been investigated for decades, its prediction when using cryogenic fluids is still hard to achieve. We identify and evaluate the principal knowledge gaps and the open research questions regarding the thermodynamic effects on hydrodynamic cavitation
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
