GFSSP 6.
03 Training Course
Slide - 1
Tutorial 4
Valve-Controlled Pressurization of a Propellant Tank
Propellant
Ullage
P
Problem Elements:
Control tank pressure within a specified tolerance
Use control valve branch option
Use tank pressurization advanced option
Use 2 fluids (oxygen and helium)
Propellant
Ullage
P
GFSSP 6.03 Training Course
Slide - 3
User Information:
Input File: [Link]
Output File: [Link]
Unsteady Options
Time step = 0.01 s; Final time = 200 s
Check Tank Pressurization option
Set Up Options
Solution Control
Convergence Criteria = 0.005
RELAXK = 0.5
GFSSP 6.03 Training Course
Slide - 4
Output Control
Select Winplot binary output
Set Up Options
Fluid Options
Select Oxygen first
Then select Helium
Build Model on Canvas
1
12
2
23
3
4
45
5 56 6
Option 18
C
L
= 0.6
A = 0.63617 in
2
Option 2
C
L
= 0.0
A = 4015 in
2
Option 2
C
L
= 0.319
A = 14.25 in
2
Boundary File Name: [Link]
Fluid = He
P = 95 psia
T = 120 deg. F
Ullage Node
V=43200. in
3
Propellant Node
V=820800. in
3
Pseudo Boundary Node
Boundary File Name: [Link]
Fluid: O
2
P=50 psia
T=-300. deg. F
Option 2
C
L
= 0.6
A = 0.785 in
2
Boundary File Name: [Link]
Fluid: O
2
P=74.76 psia
T=-300. deg. F
Fluid: O
2
P=74.76 psia
T=-300. deg. F
Fluid: He
P=67.0 psia
T=-300. deg. F
Pseudo Branch
Instantaneous Sub-Option
Control Node = 3
Initial Position = Open (True)
Pressure Tolerance File =[Link]
Boundary Node
Internal Node
Branch
Fluid: He
P=79.32 psia
T=120. deg. F
He Supply
Control valve
Orifice
Ullage space
Pseudo-boundary
(Pressure on propellant surface)
Pseudo-branch
(Propellant surface)
Propellant
Orifice Exit boundary
GFSSP 6.03 Training Course
Slide - 6
Node 1 is the helium supply
P = 95 psia, T = 120 F
LO2 mass fraction = 0.0
He mass fraction = 1.0
Node 4 is a pseudoboundary node
It separates the He from the LO2
History file is required, but pressure will
be overwritten by Node 3 ullage pressure
plus propellant head
P = 74.76 psia, T = -300 F
LO2 mass fraction = 1.0
He mass fraction = 0.0
Node 6 is the LO2 exit boundary
P = 50 psia, T = -300 F
LO2 mass fraction = 1.0
He mass fraction = 0.0
Set Up Boundary Nodes
GFSSP 6.03 Training Course
Slide - 7
Node 3 represents the ullage space
Initial P = 67 psia, T = -300.0 F
Initial Volume = 43,200 in
3
He fraction = 1.0, LOx fraction = 0.0
Node 5 represents the propellant space
Initial P = 74.76 psia, T = -300.0 F
Initial Volume = 820,800 in
3
LOx fraction = 1.0, He fraction = 0.0
Node 2 represents the small space between the
control valve and the ullage inlet orifice
Initial P = 79.32 psia, T = 120 F
Volume is negligible
He fraction = 1.0, LOx fraction = 0.0
Set Up Interior Nodes
GFSSP 6.03 Training Course
Slide - 8
Branch 12 is an instantaneous control valve
A = 0.6317 in
2
, C
L
= 0.6
It is controlled by pressure in Node 3
70 psia close
64 psia open
Valve is initially open
Requires a history file
Branch 23 is the inlet orifice to the ullage
A = 0.785 in
2
, C
L
= 0.6
Branch 45 represents the surface of the
propellant
A = 4015 in
2
, C
L
= 0.0
Branch 56 represents the orifice to the exit
boundary
A = 14.25 in
2
, C
L
= 0.319
Set Up Branches
GFSSP 6.03 Training Course
Slide - 9
Open Pressurization Dialog from Advanced menu
Click ADD
Cylindrical aluminum tank
Tank Surface Area: 6431.91 in
2
Density: 170. lbm/ft
3
Specific Heat: 0.2 Btu/lbm-R
Thermal Conductivity: 0.0362 Btu/ft-s-R
Ullage/Propellant Heat Transfer Area: 4015. in
2
Wall Thickness: 0.375 in.
Conv. Heat Transfer Adj. Factor: 1.0
T
tank
: -300 F
Use default convection correlation coefficients
Click ACCEPT, then CLOSE
Tank Pressurization Option
GFSSP 6.03 Training Course
Slide - 10
Study of the Results
Study [Link] and plot files to note the following facts:
Ullage pressure is maintained between 64 and 70 psia by the
control valve
Difference between ullage pressure and tank bottom pressure
due to gravitational head
Tank bottom pressure decreases as propellant is expelled from
the tank
GFSSP 6.03 Training Course
Slide - 11
Tank Pressure History
GFSSP 6.03 Training Course
Slide - 12
Tank Mass History