Simulated and experimental investigations on self-pressurization of liquid helium storage tank

doi:10.11949/0438-1157.20241335

Abstract

Abstract:

A non-thermal equilibrium model was developed based on an 11 m³ liquid helium storage tank. The model can simulate the self-pressurization process of the liquid helium storage tank with different heat leakage and filling rates. The daily evaporation rate test was carried out on the liquid helium storage tank using liquid helium as the working substance and the stable evaporation flow rate was obtained. Self-pressurization experiments were carried out at two filling rates, 56.48% and 70.26%, and the results of the tank pressure, liquid helium temperature and liquid level experiments were obtained. The heat leakage from the liquid helium storage tank at two filling rates of 56.48% and 70.26% is 79.9 W and 88.5 W by thermodynamic analysis. The validity of the non-thermal equilibrium model for liquid helium storage tanks was verified after determining the heat leakage distribution ratio as 3. The effects of temperature, compressibility factor, mass and volume on the self-pressurization process of liquid helium storage tanks were further investigated by decomposing the real gas equation of state. The results show when the fill rate increased, the heat leakage increased, the pressurization rate increased and the thermal stratification in the liquid helium region became more pronounced during filling rates between 56.48% and 70.26%, and the overall trend of the liquid helium temperature experimental curve was close to linear growth. The rapid increase in temperature of superheated helium in the liquid helium storage tank is the main factor leading to the pressure increase. Reducing the gas phase temperature can effectively reduce the pressurization rate and extend the storage time.

Key words: thermodynamics, interface, prediction, liquid helium storage tank, self-pressurization, filling rate, non-thermal equilibrium model

摘要：

针对11 m³液氦贮罐建立了非热平衡理论模型，该模型能够模拟不同漏热量、充液率的液氦贮罐自增压过程。通过对液氦贮罐以液氦为工质进行了日蒸发率测试，并开展56.48%和70.26%两种充液率下的自增压实验，获得了稳定蒸发流量、罐内压力、液氦温度和液位实验结果。通过热力学分析得到了内能的变化，确定56.48%和70.26%两种充液率下液氦贮罐漏热量分别为79.9 W和88.5 W，以及热量分配系数为3，验证了液氦贮罐的非热平衡模型的有效性。结合实际气体状态方程的分解，进一步探究了温度、压缩因子、质量和体积对液氦贮罐自增压过程的影响。分析结果表明，在56.48%~70.26%范围内，充液率越高，漏热量越大，增压速率越大，且液氦区域热分层越显著；液氦温度实验曲线整体变化趋势接近线性增长。液氦贮罐过热氦气温度快速增长是导致压力增长的主要因素，降低气相温度能够有效地降低增压速率、延长储存时间。

关键词: 热力学, 界面, 预测, 液氦贮罐, 自增压, 充液率, 非热平衡模型

CLC Number:

TB 658

Liang GUO, Ye CHEN, Qiming JIA, Xiujuan XIE. Simulated and experimental investigations on self-pressurization of liquid helium storage tank[J]. CIESC Journal, 2025, 76(7): 3561-3571.

郭梁, 陈烨, 贾启明, 谢秀娟. 液氦贮罐的自增压理论模拟及实验研究[J]. 化工学报, 2025, 76(7): 3561-3571.

Figures/Tables 15

Fig.1 PFD chart for daily evaporation rate testing of the liquid helium storage tank

Fig.2 Model of the liquid helium storage tank

Fig.3 Evaporation mass flow rate

Fig.4 Experimental pressure of the liquid helium storage tank

Fig.5 Experimental liquid helium temperature

Fig.6 Experimental liquid helium volume

Fig.7 Liquid helium thermal stratification degree

Fig.8 Total internal energy of the liquid helium storage tank

Fig.9 Change in MRE with f

Fig.10 Comparison of pressure curves between the model and the experiment

Fig.11 Comparison of liquid helium temperature curves between the model and the experiment

Fig.12 Comparison of liquid helium volume curves between the model and the experiment

Fig.13 Liquid helium evaporation mass flow rate

Fig.14 Changes of G1, G2, G3 and G4 under 56.48% filling rate

Fig.15 Changes of G1, G2, G3 and G4 under 70.26% filling rate

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