Numerical investigation on unstable oscillation of oxygen jet condensation in cryogenic liquid rocket

Abstract

Oxygen jet condensation always occurs with intense unstable oscillation in the cryogenic delivery pipe of a space launch vehicle. This phenomenon threatens the safety of the propulsion pipeline. It is essential to explore the transient physical features of oxygen jet condensation precisely, including the spectrum of pressure oscillation. Aiming at a deeper understanding of the thermal hydraulic characteristic of oxygen jet condensation, abundant simulations are carried out using a modified phase change method. In this model, the height function method is introduced to capture the interfacial curvature to reveal the mechanism of periodic fluctuation. The simulation proves that three typical flow patterns are found at variant operating conditions in oxygen jet condensation: chugging, oscillation, and swinging. The condensation regime diagram is summarized according to the flow pattern distribution. The chugging flow, along with the phenomenon of liquid oxygen sucked-back flow, shows the most intense pressure oscillation with a maximum amplitude of 133 kPa. In the oscillation flow, the oxygen vapor plume shrinks periodically with a low frequency of about 10 Hz. The swinging flow is a stable flow pattern with a slight pulsation of oxygen vapor plume wake. Its amplitude of pressure oscillation is approximately 1–3 kPa. The influence of liquid oxygen mass flow rate and subcooling on the unstable characteristic is also obtained. These findings offer ample theoretical direction for the development of the space launch vehicle.