Numerical study on influence of perforated plate on retention performance of liquid oxygen tank under negative gravity

doi:10.11949/0438-1157.20241369

Abstract

Abstract:

In comparison to single-use launch vehicles, reusable launch vehicles (RLV) are gaining significant attention due to their high efficiency, low cost, and broad application scope. However, their unique flight profiles also subject them to more complex variations in g-loading, such as axial negative gravity experienced by lower stage during specific flight phases, presenting new technical challenges in propellant management. Existing studies highlight the unique advantages of perforated plates in managing propellant under negative gravity. Consequently, this paper explores the liquid retention capabilities of perforated plates from multiple perspectives. The present study focuses on the liquid oxygen (LO _X ) tank of a typical launch vehicle. A three-dimensional CFD simulation model, based on the volume of fluid (VOF) method, was constructed to capture the gas-liquid interface. Using this model, the LO _X flow behavior was simulated under different perforated plate arrangements, different initial liquid conditions and varying negative gravity. The retention effect of perforated plate was analyzed from two perspectives: the upward ejection of LO _X and the downward movement of O₂ bubbles. The results of this study indicate that perforated plate can effectively prevent LO _X upward ejection, reducing the outflow by 95.63% under a -0.20g negative gravity; additionally, the outflow rate of liquid oxygen is positively correlated with the degree of negative gravity. The influence on liquid oxygen outflow is negligible when the liquid level is above or below the perforated plate and remains horizontal; however, when the liquid level is inclined, a rapid and significant outflow of liquid oxygen occurs due to the gas-liquid circulation channels above and below the perforated plate. The submergence speed of gas is influenced by both the morphology of bubbles and the degree of negative gravity. When the propellant fills up to the height of the perforated plate and the vehicle, tilted at 10°, is subjected to a -0.20g negative gravity, the bubbles grow rapidly, reaching an effective submergence speed of 0.317 m/s. This speed exceeds that observed under a -0.40g negative gravity with a horizontal liquid level. Therefore, the arrangement of the perforated plate should comprehensively consider factors such as volume of remaining propellant, rocket gimbal angle, and degree of negative overload.

Key words: liquid oxygen, negative gravity, perforated plates, gas submergence, hydrodynamics, gas-liquid flow, numerical simulation

摘要：

以典型运载器的液氧贮箱为研究对象，基于流体体积（VOF）法构建了监测气液界面的三维CFD仿真模型，采用该模型对不同孔板布置情况、不同初始液面状态、不同负过载程度下液氧流动行为进行模拟，对比了各工况液氧离开贮箱底部和气体下潜两种行为特性。多孔隔板可以有效降低液氧离开贮箱底部的流量，-0.20g负过载条件下流量减少95.63%；且该流量与负过载程度呈正相关。气体下潜速度受气泡形态与负过载程度等因素共同影响，当推进剂填充率为50.18%且发生10°倾斜的贮箱受到-0.20g负过载时，会形成气液循环通道使气泡迅速长大，有效下潜速度可达0.317 m/s，甚至大于负过载为-0.40g但贮箱不倾斜时的气体下潜速度。因此设计孔板位置时应综合考虑推进剂余量、箭体姿态和负过载程度等因素。

关键词: 液氧, 负过载, 多孔隔板, 气体下潜, 流体动力学, 气液两相流, 数值模拟

CLC Number:

TK 05

Qingtai CAO, Songyuan GUO, Jianqiang LI, Zan JIANG, Bin WANG, Rui ZHUAN, Jingyi WU, Guang YANG. Numerical study on influence of perforated plate on retention performance of liquid oxygen tank under negative gravity[J]. CIESC Journal, 2025, 76(S1): 217-229.

曹庆泰, 郭松源, 李建强, 蒋赞, 汪彬, 耑锐, 吴静怡, 杨光. 负过载下多孔隔板对液氧贮箱蓄液性能的影响研究[J]. 化工学报, 2025, 76(S1): 217-229.

Figures/Tables 29

Fig.1 Typical flight profile of a vertical takeoff and landing (VTVL) reusable carrier

Fig.2 Timing sequence of interstage separation of the upper stage and lower stage of a rocket

Fig.3 Schematic diagram of the structure of LO X tank (a) and perforated plate (b)

Fig.4 Grid details

Table 1 Summary of working conditions

工况	负过载/(m/s²)	孔板布置情况	液面初始化情况	填充率/%	液面坐标描述
对照组	-0.20g	无多孔隔板	水平液面，位于正常情况的位置	50.18	z=602 mm
工况1	-0.20g	有多孔隔板	水平液面，高于孔板中截面30 mm	52.68	z=632 mm
工况2	-0.20g	有多孔隔板	水平液面，低于孔板中截面30 mm	47.68	z=572 mm
工况3	-0.20g	有多孔隔板	液面倾斜10°，液面中心位于孔板中截面上	50.18	z=(tan10°)x + 602 mm
工况4	-0.03g	有多孔隔板	水平液面，与孔板中截面重合	50.18	z=602 mm
工况5	-0.10g	有多孔隔板	水平液面，与孔板中截面重合	50.18	z=602 mm
工况6	-0.20g	有多孔隔板	水平液面，与孔板中截面重合	50.18	z=602 mm
工况7	-0.40g	有多孔隔板	水平液面，与孔板中截面重合	50.18	z=602 mm

Fig.5 Summary of initial and boundary conditions

Table 2 Physical properties of liquid and gas oxygen

物性参数	液氧	氧气
密度/(kg/m³)	1142.70	5.34
动力黏度/(Pa·s)	2.032×10^-4	1.785×10^-5

Fig.6 Comparison between the experimental results and the simulation results of the model in present study

Fig.7 Verification of center of mass position in horizontal direction

Table 3 Axial position of center of mass for different number of meshes

网格数量/个	质心轴向位置/m
网格数量/个	t=0.5 s	t=1.0 s	t=1.5 s	t=2.0 s	t=2.5 s	t=3.0 s	t=3.5 s
190万	0.316329	0.316900	0.321874	0.333099	0.347278	0.359630	0.370671
244万	0.316330	0.316864	0.321895	0.331798	0.343617	0.359207	0.373889
326万	0.316339	0.316937	0.321092	0.328244	0.337817	0.351348	0.361177

Fig.8 Liquid oxygen flow behavior of control group (no perforated plate, horizontal initial liquid level with 50.18% initial liquid oxygen fill rate, -0.20g)

Fig.9 Liquid oxygen flow behavior in Case 6 (with perforated plate, horizontal initial liquid level with 50.18% initial liquid oxygen fill rate, -0.20g)

Fig.10 Comparison of key parameters with and without the perforated plates

Fig.11 Depth of gas dive at different moments in the control group and Case 6

Fig.12 Liquid oxygen flow behavior in Case 1 (with perforated plate, horizontal initial liquid level with 52.68% initial liquid oxygen fill rate, -0.20g)

Fig.13 Liquid oxygen flow behavior in Case 2 (with perforated plate, horizontal initial liquid level with 47.68% initial liquid oxygen fill rate, -0.20g)

Fig.14 Liquid oxygen flow behavior in Case 3 (with perforated plate, inclined initial liquid level with 50.18% initial liquid oxygen fill rate, -0.20g)

Fig.15 Comparison of key parameters for different initial liquid level conditions

Fig.16 Comparison of flow near the perforated plate for Case 1 and Case 3

Fig.17 Mushroom-shape bubbles in Case 1 and Case 6

Fig.18 Depth of gas dive at different moments in the Case 1, Case 2 and Case 3

Fig.19 Liquid oxygen flow behavior in Case 4 (with perforated plate, inclined initial liquid level with 50.18% initial liquid oxygen fill rate, -0.03g)

Fig.20 Liquid oxygen flow behavior in Case 5 (with perforated plate, inclined initial liquid level with 50.18% initial liquid oxygen fill rate, -0.10g)

Fig.21 Liquid oxygen flow behavior in Case 7 (with perforated plate, inclined initial liquid level with 50.18% initial liquid oxygen fill rate, -0.40g)

Fig.22 Comparison of key parameters for different negative gravity

Table 4 Velocity of axial center of mass movement at the late stage of different negative gravity

负过载	质心轴向移动速度/(m/s)
-0.03g	2.05×10^-5
-0.10g	2.11×10^-3
-0.20g	1.75×10^-2
-0.40g	2.97×10^-2

Fig.23 Mushroom-shape bubbles in Case 5, Case 6 and Case 7

Fig.24 Depth of gas dive at different moments in the Case 4, Case 5, Case 6 and Case 7

Fig.25 Comparison of effective velocity of gas dive for each case

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