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Numerical simulation of conjugate heat transfer in pre-cooling process of cryogenic propellant transfer line by cryocoolers.

Author(s) : LAI X., CHEN J., MA D., LUO Z., BAO S., QIU L., WANG K., ZHI X.

Type of article: IJR article

Summary

In response to the instability of two-phase flow, the challenges regarding precise prediction and control, and the significant fluid loss during the quenching of cryogenic propellant pipes, this study introduces a dry pre-cooling process based on cryocoolers. Leveraging the high stability, compactness, and reliability of cryocooler technology-which has demonstrated significant value in applications such as superconducting magnet coils and space infrared telescopes—this work aims to enhance the stability, controllability, and safety of the filling pipe pre-cooling process. Based on the structural features of the aerospace filling pipe and the operational characteristics of cryocoolers, four pre-cooling methods are presented: the external circulation method, the internal circulation method, the copper thermal straps method, and the built-in fin method. A three-dimensional numerical model of the cryocooler-pipe system was developed to simulate conjugate heat transfer during the precooling process. Additionally, the effects of flow rate on the pre-cooling process were investigated, and the cooling performance of various methods was compared and assessed. The results indicated that the internal circulation method achieved the shortest cooling time of 459 min and the highest cooling efficiency of 89.2%. In terms of temperature uniformity, the external circulation method exhibited superior performance, followed by the internal circulation method. This study is anticipated to improve the controllability and reliability of cryogenic propellant pipe pre-cooling, providing technical support for the safe implementation of large-scale and high-frequency space missions in the future.

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Pages: 11 p.

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Details

  • Original title: Numerical simulation of conjugate heat transfer in pre-cooling process of cryogenic propellant transfer line by cryocoolers.
  • Record ID : 30034909
  • Languages: English
  • Subject: Technology
  • Source: International Journal of Refrigeration - Revue Internationale du Froid - vol. 186
  • Publication date: 2026/06
  • DOI: http://dx.doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2026.02.027

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