Numerical analysis of convective flow and thermal stratification in a cryogenic storage tank

Abstract

In this study, the liquid–vapor mixture model was used for a numerical study of natural convective flow in a cryogenic tank with a capacity of 4.9 m3 under various conditions of heat flux and filling level to understand the early stages of convective flow phenomena and the consequent thermal stratification of cryogenic liquid. Two cryogens—liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied nitrogen (LN2)—were compared to observe their effects. LN2 exhibited faster vaporization owing to its lower heat of vaporization. It was observed that higher heat flux and lower filling level led to faster vaporization and relatively vigorous heat transfer, showing early thermal stratification.