Liquid Nitrogen (Oxygen Simulant) Thermodynamic Vent System Test Data Analysis

Abstract

In designing systems for the long‐term storage of cryogens in low‐gravity (space) environments, one must consider the effects of thermal stratification on tank pressure that will occur due to environmental heat leaks. During low‐gravity operations, a Thermodynamic Vent System (TVS) concept is expected to maintain tank pressure without propellant resettling. A series of TVS tests was conducted at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) using liquid nitrogen (LN2) as a liquid oxygen (LO2) simulant. The tests were performed at tank fill levels of 90%, 50%, and 25%, and with a specified tank pressure control band. A transient one‐dimensional TVS performance program is used to analyze and correlate the test data for all three fill levels. Predictions and comparisons of ullage pressure and temperature and bulk liquid saturation pressure and temperature with test data are presented.