During long coast periods of zero-gravity, storage vessels for the cryogenic liquids proposed for use in some power transmission systems undergo random distribution of the liquid and vapor phases therein. Thus, when heat flow into the vessel causes the vessel pressure to build-up requiring venting to maintain a safe value, the likelihood of venting the valuable liquid phase, as well as the vapor, results. To preclude this eventuality, various devices for separating the liquid and vapor phases and venting just the vapor have been studied and carried into the experimentation stages.
This report presents the data obtained from the analysis, design and development testing of a specific, dynamic type vapor-liquid separator intended for use in a hydrogen storage tank.
Testing completed and reported on herein was non-cryogenic. Model laws of similarity for two-phase operation in the non-cryogenic media were used for determining non-cryogenic test conditions simulating the intended cryogenic application.
Extrapolated cryogenic performance is presented herein as is also the proposed methods of testing in the cryogenic media.