摘要:
Slush (12) is made from a liquid (14) using slush making systems (10) or according to slush making processes. A jacketed vessel (20) of the processes and the systems has an interior wall (26) that defines an interior space (28). The interior space (28) comprises a top (32) and a bottom (30). The interior space (28) has an average overall cross-sectional area taken through a vertical axis extending generally between the top (32) and the bottom (30). The interior space (28) also has a collection portion having an average collection portion cross-sectional area taken through the vertical axis that is less than the average overall cross-sectional area. The liquid is placed into the interior space and the interior walls (26) are cooled. Slush (12) forms on the interior walls (26) and migrates to the collection portion. The collection portion (36) is located at the interior space bottom (30) when the slush density is higher than the liquid density and the collection portion (36) is located at the interior space top (32) when slush density is less than the liquid density. To facilitate the migration of the slush to the collection portion, at least a conical portion of the interior space (28) has the general shape of a cone and the collection portion (36) is located in the proximity of an apex (30) of the conical portion, thereby helping to funnel the slush (12) to the collection portion (36). The cryogenic liquid to be made into slush may be oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, helium, or water. The slush (12) may be used to densify cryogenic liquids, such as cryogenic liquid propellants.
摘要:
A system and method for cooling a first cryogenic fluid (16) in a vessel (12) comprises the steps of directing a second cryogenic fluid (30) into the first cryogenic fluid (16) and releasing gas from the vessel (12). The first cryogenic fluid (16) has a boiling point that is higher than the boiling point of the second cryogenic fluid (30). Directing the second cryogenic fluid (30) into the first cryogenic fluid (16) results in the second fluid (30) cooling the first fluid (16) and the second fluid (30) vaporizing. The vaporized fluid is released as a gas from the vessel (12). The vessel (12) may be a propellant tank for a space vehicle (10). The first and second cryogenic fluids (16,30) are delivered from supplies (18,32) located outside of the vehicle (10). The first cryogenic fluid (16) may be oxygen and the second cryogenic fluid (30) may be nitrogen, neon, or helium. In another aspect of the invention, the first cryogenic fluid (12) may be hydrogen and the second cryogenic fluid (30) may be helium.
摘要:
A system and method for cooling a first cryogenic fluid (16) in a vessel (12) comprises the steps of directing a second cryogenic fluid (30) into the first cryogenic fluid (16) and releasing gas from the vessel (12). The first cryogenic fluid (16) has a boiling point that is higher than the boiling point of the second cryogenic fluid (30). Directing the second cryogenic fluid (30) into the first cryogenic fluid (16) results in the second fluid (30) cooling the first fluid (16) and the second fluid (30) vaporizing. The vaporized fluid is released as a gas from the vessel (12). The vessel (12) may be a propellant tank for a space vehicle (10). The first and second cryogenic fluids (16,30) are delivered from supplies (18,32) located outside of the vehicle (10). The first cryogenic fluid (16) may be oxygen and the second cryogenic fluid (30) may be nitrogen, neon, or helium. In another aspect of the invention, the first cryogenic fluid (12) may be hydrogen and the second cryogenic fluid (30) may be helium.
摘要:
Slush (12) is made from a liquid (14) using slush making systems (10) or according to slush making processes. A jacketed vessel (20) of the processes and the systems has an interior wall (26) that defines an interior space (28). The interior space (28) comprises a top (32) and a bottom (30). The interior space (28) has an average overall cross-sectional area taken through a vertical axis extending generally between the top (32) and the bottom (30). The interior space (28) also has a collection portion having an average collection portion cross-sectional area taken through the vertical axis that is less than the average overall cross-sectional area. The liquid is placed into the interior space and the interior walls (26) are cooled. Slush (12) forms on the interior walls (26) and migrates to the collection portion. The collection portion (36) is located at the interior space bottom (30) when the slush density is higher than the liquid density and the collection portion (36) is located at the interior space top (32) when slush density is less than the liquid density. To facilitate the migration of the slush to the collection portion, at least a conical portion of the interior space (28) has the general shape of a cone and the collection portion (36) is located in the proximity of an apex (30) of the conical portion, thereby helping to funnel the slush (12) to the collection portion (36). The cryogenic liquid to be made into slush may be oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, helium, or water. The slush (12) may be used to densify cryogenic liquids, such as cryogenic liquid propellants.
摘要:
A cryogenic liquid heat exchanger system (10) has a subatmospheric pressure reservoir (14), a tube (24), and an initial fluid ejector (12). The sub-atmospheric pressure reservoir (14) has a vacuum exhaust (32). The tube (24) extends through the reservoir (14). The initial fluid ejector (12) has a suction chamber inlet that is functionally connected to the reservoir vacuum exhaust (32). The system may have a plurality of fluid ejectors connected to one or more exhausts either in series or parallel. The initial fluid ejector (12) may receive one or more pressurized fluid streams (36), and the streams may be steam. A process for generating sub-atmospheric pressures in a cryogenic fluid heat exchanger reservoir (14) includes the step of discharging an initial fluid stream (36) into an initial fluid ejector (12) having a suction chamber (30) functionally connected to an exhaust (32) of the reservoir (14). A process for generating sub-atmospheric pressures in a cryogenic fluid heat exchanger reservoir includes the step of using a fluid ejector (12) to reduce the pressure in the reservoir (14). In either process, cooling cryogenic fluid (16) is directed through the reservoir (14). The cooling cryogenic fluid (16) may be liquid nitrogen or liquid hydrogen. In either process, an incoming cryogenic fluid stream (22) is directed through a tube (24) that extends through the reservoir (14). The incoming cryogenic fluid (22) may be liquid oxygen or liquid hydrogen, or any other suitable cryogenic fluid.
摘要:
A propellant or oxidizer tank system and process for densifying liquid propellant (104) or liquid oxidizer comprises a propellant tank (100) with a combined manifold (102), a combined manifold line (108), a pressurizing gas line (112), and a vent line (114). The combined manifold (102) is located in the tank (100). The combined manifold line (108) functionally connects the combined manifold (102) to a chilling system (18). The pressurizing gas line (112) and the vent line (114) are also functionally connected to the combined manifold line (108). The tank (100) may be disposed in a vehicle. The manifold (102) is disposed proximate the top of the tank (100). The chilling system (18) is a heat exchanger/filling system. The process for filling the tank (100) comprises the steps of charging the tank (100), venting gases (106) in the tank (100), densifying the liquid (104), and pressurizing the tank (100). The tank (100) is charged with the liquid (104) such that the orifices (120) in the combined manifold (102) are submerged. The gases (106) in the tank (100) are vented through the combined manifold (102) and out of the tank (100). The venting step is arrested prior to the submerging of the combined manifold orifices (120). The liquid (104) in the tank (100) is densified by directing a recirculation stream of the liquid propellant (104) or oxidizer from the tank (100) through the combined manifold (102), out of the tank (100), cooling and directing the recirculation stream into the tank (100). The tank (100) is pressurized by directing a pressurizing gas stream into the combined manifold (102) and into the tank (100) after the densifying step.