Simulation on the Cavitation Characteristics in Liquid Hydrogen Transportation Pipe for Hydrogen-powered Aircraft

Yan-yu CUI , Tao CHEN , Yuan-yuan CHEN

Science Technology and Engineering ›› 2025, Vol. 25 ›› Issue (21) : 9173 -9183.

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Science Technology and Engineering ›› 2025, Vol. 25 ›› Issue (21) : 9173-9183 DOI: 10.12404/j.issn.1671-1815.2405944
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Simulation on the Cavitation Characteristics in Liquid Hydrogen Transportation Pipe for Hydrogen-powered Aircraft
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Abstract

The development of hydrogen-powered aircraft is a key strategy for the aviation industry to achieve carbon neutrality. Compared to high-pressure gaseous hydrogen, cryogenic liquid hydrogen will be the main fuel for future hydrogen-powered commercial aviation. However, the occurrence of cavitation in liquid hydrogen during transport has the potential to result in an unstable or even interrupted fuel supply to the engine, which could ultimately lead to catastrophic risks to flight safety. Using numerical simulation method, based on homogeneous mixed flow model, Navier-Stokes (RANS) method and Zwart cavitation model, the cavitation flow characteristics and development law of liquid hydrogen in aircraft transport pipelines were deeply studied, and partially compared with normal temperature water. The results show that the cavitation number, the outlet/inlet pressure ratio, and the length/diameter ratio have a significant influence on the occurrence and development of cavitation. The condensation process of liquid hydrogen is considerably slower than the evaporation process. The effect of the cavitation number on the evaporation process is minimal, but it has a significant effect on the maximum condensation rate. The critical pressure ratio for the disappearance of cavitation in liquid hydrogen is lower than in water. At the same pressure ratio, water cavitates more easily than liquid hydrogen, with a greater number of cavitation bubbles and a thicker cavitation region. Reducing the length/diameter ratio can inhibit the occurrence and development of cavitation in liquid hydrogen. It is recommended that the diameter of the contraction section be increased to achieve a higher outlet flow, rather than shortening the length of the pipeline.

Keywords

hydrogen-powered aircraft / liquid hydrogen transportation / cavitation / numerical simulation

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Yan-yu CUI, Tao CHEN, Yuan-yuan CHEN. Simulation on the Cavitation Characteristics in Liquid Hydrogen Transportation Pipe for Hydrogen-powered Aircraft. Science Technology and Engineering, 2025, 25(21): 9173-9183 DOI:10.12404/j.issn.1671-1815.2405944

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