DynaSwirl Phase Separator for Cryogenic Liquid/Vapor Separation

Cryogenic fluid management is critical for long term deep space manned missions. The nature of these missions will require long term storage of cryogenic liquids. Temperature fluctuations will result in some liquid vaporization and the formation of two-phase vapor-liquid mixtures, which would cause operational problems in pumping, transfer, and fueling systems. In low gravity conditions, vapor and liquid phases will not separate in distinct regions due to the lack of buoyancy forces, therefore a means of separating the two-phases is needed. In this proposal, we will pursue the development of the DynaSwirlreg; cryogenic separator demonstrated in Phase I, into a practical system that would operate in cryogenic liquid transfer high flow regimes. The design will be refined and optimized. The separator weight and the pressure drop across it will be minimized, a vapor capture system will be developed, and several prototype versions will be tested under a variety of conditions. To do so, the LN2 Cryogenic testing loop used in Phase I will be improved and upgraded with automation of valvesrsquo; control and data acquisition. The cryogenic tests will be conducted for times long enough to cover steady flow following the fill-out time and negligible effects of gravity on the separation will be demonstrated by conducting tests with different chamber orientations. The effects of the various geometrical dimensions of the separator components will be investigated and scale ups of the system to large exit diameters and high pressures will be considered. System level design study will be conducted to predict the behavior of the DynaSwirlreg; Cryogenic Phase Separator compared to other propellant management devices (PMD). A separator test unit for microgravity flight testing will be set up for future reduced gravity tests and a prototype of the separator for conditions of interest to NASA researchers will be delivered to NASA for testing with different cryogenics such as liquid O2 and CH4.