Nucleate- and Film-Boiling Studies with Liquid Hydrogen

Abstract

Proposals for space vehicles using high-energy cryogenic propellants have always included considerations of the benefits to be gained by the heat-sink capabilities of liquid hydrogen for use as a coolant in rocket engines, nuclear reactors, and other heat exchangers. For specific applications, the maximum nucleate-boiling and film-boiling heat transfer rates are required in terms of flow conditions and passage geometry. Many studies of boiling heat transfer have been made using more or less conventional fluids; however, few data are available for cryogenic fluids.