Single-phase CFD simulation of the suction process of piston-type liquid hydrogen pump under low discharge pressure

Utilizing liquid hydrogen directly for physical hydrogen pump tests poses challenges such as stringent requirements for low-temperature conditions, flammability, susceptibility to leakage, and high costs. Presently, cavitation in the piston-type liquid hydrogen pump mainly arises from vaporization induced by high-speed flow and rapid pressure fluctuations, leading to cavitation erosion phenomena on metal surfaces in contact with the fluid. Employing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques, this study conducts single-phase simulations on the fluid entry process of a piston-type liquid hydrogen pump under low discharge pressure. It analyzes the velocity and pressure fields inside the liquid hydrogen booster pump cylinder, investigates the location and causes of low-pressure areas through flow field analysis, and subsequently makes preliminary assessments on the likelihood and potential locations of vaporization occurrences. This approach effectively mitigates damage to flow components, reduces vibration and noise, and enhances both pump volumetric efficiency and energy efficiency.