The Effects of Gravitational Orientation on the Tube Quenching by Using Cryogenic Fluid

Abstract

We have investigated the heat transfer during quenching of the tube by cryogenic fluid for the development of Cryogenic Fluids Management in space. A transparent heated tube was employed for the direct measurement of quench front temperature and its velocity during the tube quenching. These experiments aimed at understanding the effects of gravity on the tube quenching under terrestrial conditions, and the experiments using liquid nitrogen as the test fluid were conducted in the low mass velocity region (75～150 kg/m2s) and four different orientations of gravity (θ= ± 90° , ±45°).The direct measurements of quench front temperature and its velocity succeeded, and the results indicated that the configuration of quench front and heat transfer were affected by gravitational orientation.