Modeling and Analysis of the Flow Characteristics of Liquid Hydrogen in a Pipe Suffering from External Transient Impact

Abstract

Pipes can be subjected to external transient impacts such as accidental collision, which affects the safe operation of storage and transportation systems for liquid hydrogen. Fluid–structure coupling calculation for a pipe under external transient impact is performed, and the flow characteristics of liquid hydrogen in the pipe are analyzed. The pipe deforms and vibrates when suffering from external transient impact. Liquid hydrogen pressure in a cross-section plane increases along the pipe deformation direction. Additionally, external transient impact enhances the disturbance of liquid hydrogen near the pipe wall. The increased flow resistance and the energy induced by the deformed pipe both affect the flow of liquid hydrogen, and contribute to the fluctuated characteristics of liquid pressure drop. In addition, the phase state of liquid hydrogen remains unchanged in the pipe, indicating that little of the induced energy is transformed into the internal energy of liquid hydrogen. The work provides theoretical guidance for the safe operation of liquid hydrogen storage and transportation systems.

Keywords

• liquid hydrogen
• flow characteristics
• external transient impact
• fluid–structure coupling