Design and optimization of an annular air-hydrogen precooler for advanced space launchers engines

The rapid change in the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere stimulates the advancement of advanced space launchers. Liquefied air cycle engine is a pollution-free space launcher and attracts much attention in recent years. Air-hydrogen precooler is an important component in the liquefied air cycle engines. The thermal-hydraulic performance of the precooler significantly affects the efficiency of the engine. This paper proposes a novel annular air-hydrogen precooler based on printed circuit heat exchanger. To prove the thermal-hydraulic performance of the novel precooler design, three types of precoolers are selected for comparison of volumetric power, power per mass unit and compactness. Segmented thermal design method and genetic algorithm are used for structure optimization. The results indicate that the novel precooler has higher compactness and volumetric power. The compactness of annular air-hydrogen precooler is 682% larger than that of shell-and-tube heat exchanger. The volumetric power of annular air-hydrogen precooler is 206% larger than that of plate-fin heat exchanger. The volumetric power of annular air-hydrogen precooler is 24% larger than that of the printed circuit heat exchanger. The study concludes that the air-hydrogen precooler has a better comprehensive performance.

Automated summary

This study introduces a novel annular air-hydrogen precooler design based on printed circuit heat exchanger, optimized using segmented thermal design method and genetic algorithm. Results show that the novel precooler exhibits higher compactness and volumetric power, making it a promising component for advanced space launchers.