Performance analysis and improved design of screen channel liquid acquisition device for hydrogen

The screen channel liquid acquisition device is vital to in-orbit management of liquid propellant, when it is applied to large hydrogen tank, an improved design is necessary to obtain higher outflow rate with less device mass. To get this purpose, we established a model through an innovative route: motivating the resolution by the driving-pressure boundary condition. Based on this new model, we analyzed the influential factors of outflow rate: the geometric parameters of channel, the driving pressure, and the selection of screen. Further, we derived a set of dimensionless numbers that characterize the outflow process. Finally, we proposed creatively two suggestions for optimizing design: (1) reducing the ratio of L to H by rearranging the channel outlet; (2) combining the use of different screens with an appropriate mixing ratio. By numerical calculation, it is proved that both of these two suggestions could help to improve the device. (C) 2022 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This paper investigates the crucial role of the screen channel liquid acquisition device in the in-orbit management of liquid propellant and proposes two innovative suggestions for optimizing its design.