低温推进剂水锤瞬变流特性研究进展

疏志勇, 王天祥, 雷刚, 陈强, 钱华, 梁文清

清华大学学报(自然科学版) ›› 2026, Vol. 66 ›› Issue (3) : 417-428.

PDF(6813 KB)
PDF(6813 KB)
清华大学学报(自然科学版) ›› 2026, Vol. 66 ›› Issue (3) : 417-428. DOI: 10.16511/j.cnki.qhdxxb.2026.26.006
航天发射支持技术与工程应用

低温推进剂水锤瞬变流特性研究进展

作者信息 +

Research progress on the transient flow characteristics of water hammer during cryogenic propellant filling

Author information +
文章历史 +

摘要

为满足航班化发射、深空探测、登火登月和商业航天等发展需求, 低温推进剂快速大流量加注被提上日程, 航天低温推进剂(液氢、液氧和液甲烷等)在快速大流量加注工况下易引发剧烈水锤(压力波动)现象, 低温介质极易发生多相流快速变化, 严重威胁管路系统结构安全。该文从理论模型、数值仿真、试验验证和工程应用等方面综述了低温推进剂发射场布局发展趋势和水锤瞬变流特性研究进展。研究结果表明:低温环境下相变非平衡效应、热-流-固多物理场耦合和复杂边界条件(如盲支管、低温泵和阀门)是水锤预测的核心问题; 高精度多相流模型、多尺度仿真技术和水锤防护与控制策略是当前研究热点; 后续, 需强化机理认知—模型开发—试验验证闭环研究, 并融合人工智能和数字孪生等新兴技术优化加注系统结构和控制策略。该文研究结果可为航天低温推进剂加注系统安全设计提供参考。

Abstract

Significance: With the rapid development of routine launches, deep space exploration, lunar and Mars missions, and commercial spaceflights, increasingly stringent demands have been placed on the safety, reliability, and efficiency of propulsion systems. Cryogenic propellants, such as liquid hydrogen, liquid oxygen, and liquid methane, have become core working fluids for next-generation launch vehicles and deep space missions owing to their high specific impulse and clean combustion products. However, under conditions of a high flow rate and rapid fuel, severe water hammer and complex transient flow phenomena are likely to occur in propellant feed lines; these phenomer include large-amplitude pressure oscillations, rapid multiphase transitions, and strong coupling between thermal and structural fields. If uncontrolled, such nonequilibrium transient processes may induce pipeline vibrations, valve malfunctions, tank structural damage, or even catastrophic failures. Therefore, elucidating the mechanisms of water hammer during the rapid filling of cryogenic propellants is not only of great scientific importance but also an urgent requirement for ensuring spacecraft mission safety and improving the design of modern launch sites. Progress: In recent years, extensive research has been conducted worldwide on the transient flow characteristics of cryogenic propellant filling, leading to a series of significant advances. Theoretical modeling has evolved from traditional one-dimensional water hammer equations to multiphase flow models that incorporate thermodynamic nonequilibrium effects, phase-change dynamics, and interfacial heat transfer, thereby providing a more accurate representation of cryogenic operating conditions. Numerical simulation methods, including high-resolution finite-volume methods, multiscale direct numerical simulations, and coupled fluid-thermal-structural approaches, have been developed, enabling more accurate simulations of pressure oscillations, gas-liquid interface evolution, and heat transfer phenomena. In terms of experimental validation, given the stringent requirements during liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen testing, researchers have employed substitution experiments with liquid nitrogen, liquid helium, and cryogenic simulation test facilities to obtain key transient data; some of these experimental results have already been successfully applied to assess the safety of rocket ground fuel systems. From an engineering perspective, organizations such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and SpaceX have introduced energy dissipators, buffer devices, and active control strategies into next-generation launch site construction to effectively suppress local cavitation, flashing, and water hammer risks. Collectively, these efforts indicate that the research focus is gradually shifting from single-flow modeling to an integrated development paradigm, encompassing mechanistic understanding, model development, experimental validation, and engineering applications. Conclusions and Prospects: Despite these advances, critical challenges remain in the study of cryogenic propellant filling. First, the nonequilibrium nature of phase-change processes under cryogenic conditions still lacks a complete and unified quantitative description. Second, the mechanisms of fluid-thermal-structural multiphysics coupling are highly complex, and the current models show limitations in terms of boundary adaptability and predictive accuracy. Third, experimental validation remains limited, highlighting the urgent need for safe and controllable substitution methods and advanced testing platforms. Future research should establish a closed-loop framework of "mechanistic understanding-model development-experimental validation", promote the integration of high-fidelity multiphase flow models with multiscale simulation techniques, and leverage artificial intelligence and big data approaches to achieve intelligent prediction and real-time control of transient fueling processes. The coordinated advancement of theory, experimentation, and engineering practice in this field is essential to provide solid theoretical support and technological assurance for the safe implementation of next-generation routine launch operations and high-frequency mission scenarios.

关键词

航天低温推进剂 / 水锤 / 多相流 / 瞬变流仿真 / 快速加注

Key words

aerospace cryogenic propellant / water hammer / multiphase flow / transient current simulation / quick filling

引用本文

导出引用
疏志勇, 王天祥, 雷刚, . 低温推进剂水锤瞬变流特性研究进展[J]. 清华大学学报(自然科学版). 2026, 66(3): 417-428 https://doi.org/10.16511/j.cnki.qhdxxb.2026.26.006
Zhiyong SHU, Tianxiang WANG, Gang LEI, et al. Research progress on the transient flow characteristics of water hammer during cryogenic propellant filling[J]. Journal of Tsinghua University(Science and Technology). 2026, 66(3): 417-428 https://doi.org/10.16511/j.cnki.qhdxxb.2026.26.006
中图分类号: V554+.4   

参考文献

1
包为民. 可重复使用运载火箭技术发展综述[J]. 航空学报, 2023, 44 (23): 629555.
BAO W M . A review of reusable launch vehicle technology development[J]. Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica, 2023, 44 (23): 629555.
2
王勇, 钱华, 梁文清, 等. 基于等效电路低温推进剂加注系统固有频率分析[J]. 低温与超导, 2024, 52 (2): 68- 74.
WANG Y , QIAN H , LIANG W Q , et al. Natural frequency analysis of cryogenic propellant filling system based on equivalent circuit[J]. Cryogenics & Superconductivity, 2024, 52 (2): 68- 74.
3
陈强, 孙庆国, 王天祥, 等. 基于液氮冷源的液态甲烷过冷加注工艺[J]. 航空动力学报, 2020, 35 (5): 956- 962.
CHEN Q , SUN Q G , WANG T X , et al. Liquid methane subcooling and filling process using liquid nitrogen as cold source[J]. Journal of Aerospace Power, 2020, 35 (5): 956- 962.
4
杨永忠, 白奉天, 郑林. 火箭发射场新型低温加注系统加注过程仿真研究[J]. 低温工程, 2018 (2): 39- 44.
YANG Y Z , BAI F T , ZHENG L . Simulation research on filling process of new-style cryogenic fueling system in launching site[J]. Cryogenics, 2018 (2): 39- 44.
5
李幸, 陈景鹏, 崔村燕, 等. 液氧加注系统阀控瞬变危害性仿真研究[J]. 低温与超导, 2015, 43 (9): 6- 10.
LI X , CHEN J P , CUI C Y , et al. Simulation study of transient hazard during the valve controlling of liquid oxygen filling system[J]. Cryogenics & Superconductivity, 2015, 43 (9): 6- 10.
6
SHU Z Y , LIANG W Q , QIN B K , et al. Transient flow dynamics behaviors during quick shut-off of ball valves in liquid hydrogen pipelines and storage systems[J]. Journal of Energy Storage, 2023, 73, 109049.
7
SHU Z Y , LEI G , LIANG W Q , et al. Rapid prediction of water hammer characteristics in liquid hydrogen storage and transportation systems: A theoretical model[J]. Renewable Energy, 2024, 230, 120781.
8
陈琛, 应媛媛, 王磊, 等. 低温推进剂管网系统中盲支管充填过程压力演化的模拟与水击特性研究[J]. 真空与低温, 2024, 30 (5): 595- 602.
CHEN C , YING Y Y , WANG L , et al. Numerical investigation on pressure evolution and water hammer characteristics in cryogenic pipeline filling process of the blind branch[J]. Vacuum and Cryogenics, 2024, 30 (5): 595- 602.
9
刘海飞, 刘照智, 王鹏飞, 等. 低温盲支管诱发水击振动的实验研究[J]. 低温与超导, 2019, 47 (2): 8- 10.
LIU H F , LIU Z Z , WANG P F , et al. Experimental study on water hammer in the cryogenic blind branch tube[J]. Cryogenics & Superconductivity, 2019, 47 (2): 8- 10.
10
陈强, 王天祥, 邱小林, 等. 液氮输送管路预冷过程流致振动试验研究[J]. 低温工程, 2025 (3): 37- 41.
CHEN Q , WANG T X , QIU X L , et al. Experimental study on flow-induced vibrations in pre-cooling process of liquid nitrogen delivery pipeline[J]. Cryogenics, 2025 (3): 37- 41.
11
MIWA S , HIBIKI T . Inverted annular two-phase flow in multiphase flow systems[J]. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 2022, 186, 122340.
12
WANG L , WANG J J , HUANG X N , et al. Experimental investigation on cryogenic chilldown performance under high-Reynolds number condition and using interior micro-fin structure[J]. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 2022, 182, 121979.
13
BERGANT A , SIMPSON A R , TIJSSELING A S . Water hammer with column separation: A historical review[J]. Journal of Fluids and Structures, 2006, 22 (2): 135- 171.
14
CHEN L , ZHANG R , KANDA Y , et al. Asymptotic analysis of boundary thermal-wave process near the liquid-gas critical point[J]. Physics of Fluids, 2022, 34 (3): 036102.
15
PAVLOU D G , ONG M C . Damping effect on the wave propagation in carbon steel pipelines under fluid hammer conditions[J]. Journal of Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering, 2017, 139 (4): 041702.
16
李沐泽, 丁华, 郝朝阳, 等. 基于热-固耦合的绝热支撑结构分析及优化[J]. 科学技术与工程, 2025, 25 (12): 5003- 5012.
LI M Z , DING H , HAO Z Y , et al. Analysis and optimization of adiabatic support structure based on thermal-solid interaction[J]. Science Technology and Engineering, 2025, 25 (12): 5003- 5012.
17
汪翔宇, 高尚鸿, 丰镇平. 涡轮叶片的热流固耦合数值方法研究及应用[J]. 西安交通大学学报, 2025, 59 (3): 21- 33.
WANG X Y , GAO S H , FENG Z P . Study on numerical method of thermal-fluid-structure coupling for turbine blades and its application[J]. Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 2025, 59 (3): 21- 33.
18
SHEN X K , ZHOU H M , ZHANG Y S , et al. Reliability analysis on resonance fatigue life of fuel piping system[J]. International Journal of Fatigue, 2025, 197, 108912.
19
GILLEN K T , BERNSTEIN R , WILSON M H . Predicting and confirming the lifetime of O-Rings[J]. Polymer Degradation and Stability, 2005, 87 (2): 257- 270.
20
LI C , CHENG Y W , WANG N , et al. Transient modelling of pressure-controlled propellant crossfeed for liquid rocket[J]. Cryogenics, 2021, 116, 103303.
21
刘照智, 丁鹏飞, 田青亚. 液氢加注系统水击问题数值分析[J]. 导弹与航天运载技术, 2010 (4): 10- 12.
LIU Z Z , DING P F , TIAN Q Y . Numerical analysis on water-hammer of liquid hydrogen loading system[J]. Missiles and Space Vehicles, 2010 (4): 10- 12.
22
闫兴清, 戴行涛, 金鑫, 等. 低温液氢泄漏至地面形成液池的研究进展[J]. 油气与新能源, 2022, 34 (6): 82- 90.
YAN X Q , DAI X T , JIN X , et al. Research progress of the formation of liquid pool by low-temperature liquid hydrogen leaking to the ground[J]. Petroleum and New Energy, 2022, 34 (6): 82- 90.
23
刘海飞, 陈虹, 王天祥, 等. 液氢和液氧低温推进剂加注系统中的管路瞬变特性研究[J]. 水动力学研究与进展, 2014, 29 (6): 642- 648.
LIU H F , CHEN H , WANG T X , et al. Study on the transient flow characteristics of the filling pipe of liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen cryogenic propellants[J]. Chinese Journal of Hydrodynamics, 2014, 29 (6): 642- 648.
24
张海丽, 张耀东, 邱海云, 等. 基于跨时步求解格式的感知边界外流场重构方法[J]. 力学学报, 2025, 57 (5): 1272- 1285.
ZHANG H L , ZHANG Y D , QIU H Y , et al. Perceptual boundary external flow field reconstruction method based on cross-time step solution format[J]. Chinese Journal of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, 2025, 57 (5): 1272- 1285.
25
VENETSANOS A G , GIANNISSI S G . Release and dispersion modeling of cryogenic under-expanded hydrogen jets[J]. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2017, 42 (11): 7672- 7682.
26
ZUO Z Q , WU J Y , HUANG Y H . Validity evaluation of popular liquid-vapor phase change models for cryogenic self-pressurization process[J]. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 2021, 181, 121879.
27
SHAO X Y , PU L , LI Q , et al. Numerical investigation of flammable cloud on liquid hydrogen spill under various weather conditions[J]. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2018, 43 (10): 5249- 5260.
28
GIANNISSI S G , VENETSANOS A G . Study of key parameters in modeling liquid hydrogen release and dispersion in open environment[J]. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2018, 43 (1): 455- 467.
29
HIBIKI T , DONG C S . Viscosity effect on drift-flux model for upward two-phase flows[J]. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 2024, 228, 125625.
30
WANG J J , LI Y Z , WANG L , et al. Thermal prediction of transient two-phase flow in cryogenic transportation based on drift-flux model[J]. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 2021, 177, 121512.
31
WAN W Y , HUANG W R , LI C . Sensitivity analysis for the resistance on the performance of a pressure vessel for water hammer protection[J]. Journal of Pressure Vessel Technology, 2014, 136 (1): 011303.
32
FERSI M , TRIKI A . Investigation on redesigning strategies for water-hammer control in pressurized-piping systems[J]. Journal of Pressure Vessel Technology, 2019, 141 (2): 021301.
33
WANG Y R , YU X D , LIU J C , et al. Influences of sediment particles on air vessel water hammer protection effect in the long-distance water supply systems[J]. Journal of Pressure Vessel Technology, 2024, 146 (1): 011401.
34
ROMUALD B , JIAN Z , DONG Y X , et al. Assessment and performance evaluation of water hammer in hydroelectric plants with hydropneumatic tank and pressure regulating valve[J]. Journal of Pressure Vessel Technology, 2021, 143 (4): 041401.
35
WAN W Y , LI F Q . Sensitivity analysis of operational time differences for a pump-valve system on a water hammer response[J]. Journal of Pressure Vessel Technology, 2016, 138 (1): 011303.
36
MIAO D , ZHANG J , CHEN S , et al. Water hammer suppression for long distance water supply systems by combining the air vessel and valve[J]. Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua, 2017, 66 (5): 319- 326.
37
ROY J K, ROY P K, BASAK P. Water hammer protection in water supply system: A new approach with practical implementation[C]// Proceedings of 2011 International Conference on Communication and Industrial Application. Kolkata, India: IEEE, 2011: 1-6.
38
CHEN T H , REN Z G , XU C , et al. Optimal boundary control for water hammer suppression in fluid transmission pipelines[J]. Computers & Mathematics with Applications, 2015, 69 (4): 275- 290.
39
SALIMI A , KARAMI H , FARZIN S , et al. Design of water supply system from rivers using artificial intelligence to model water hammer[J]. ISH Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 2020, 26 (2): 153- 162.
40
LI H Y , ZHANG Y , CUI J G , et al. Optimization of water hammer protection against sudden pump stoppage using machine learning models and intelligent algorithms[J]. Journal of Hydraulic Research, 2025, 63 (2): 265- 277.
41
YAZDI J , HOKMABADI A , JALILIGHAZIZADEH M R . Optimal size and placement of water hammer protective devices in water conveyance pipelines[J]. Water Resources Management, 2019, 33 (2): 569- 590.
42
刘佳兴, 王向南, 刘海飞, 等. 阀门关闭对低温盲支管水击的影响分析[J]. 低温与超导, 2020, 48 (7): 1- 4.
LIU J X , WANG X N , LIU H F , et al. Effect of valve closing on water hammer in cryogenic blind branch tube[J]. Cryogenics & Superconductivity, 2020, 48 (7): 1- 4.
43
李克诚. 新型贮箱增压消能器流场的仿真分析研究[D]. 大连: 大连理工大学, 2014.
LI K C. Numerical study of flow filed for newly designed energy dissipators in pressurized tanks[D]. Dalian: Dalian University of Technology, 2014. (in Chinese)
44
胡梦琦, 王非凡, 李颖琦, 等. 运载火箭贮箱增压消能器性能仿真与结构方案分析[J]. 宇航总体技术, 2022, 6 (4): 41- 52.
HU M Q , WANG F F , LI Y Q , et al. Performance simulation and structure scheme analysis of pressurization energy diffuser for launch vehicle tanks[J]. Astronautical Systems Engineering Technology, 2022, 6 (4): 41- 52.
45
朱康, 厉彦忠, 王磊, 等. 饱和氢气加注过程中低温贮箱降温特性及热应力分布的数值研究[J]. 西安交通大学学报, 2014, 48 (5): 1- 7.
ZHU K , LI Y Z , WANG L , et al. Investigation on cool-down behavior and thermal stress of cryogenic tank during saturated hydrogen gas filling process[J]. Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 2014, 48 (5): 1- 7.

基金

“十四五”民用航天技术预先研究项目(D030311)
江苏省科技厅科技成果转化项目(BA2023103)
国家资助博士后研究人员计划项目(GZC20250416)
江苏省卓越博士后计划项目(2025ZB473)

版权

版权所有,未经授权,不得转载。
PDF(6813 KB)

Accesses

Citation

Detail

段落导航
相关文章

/