RCAIDE.Library.Methods.Powertrain.Sources.Fuel_Tanks.Cryogenic_Tank.compute_cryogenic_cylindrical_tank_volume

compute_cryogenic_cylindrical_tank_volume#

compute_cryogenic_cylindrical_tank_volume(fuel_tank, fuel_tanks=None)[source]#

Sizes a cryogenic rounded-end cylindrical tank (cylinder + hemispherical caps) to fit within the outer mold line set by the upstream non-integral tank function.

The upstream function (e.g. compute_wing_non_integral_tank_volume) determines the external dimensions (diameters.external, lengths.external) from the wing geometry. This function works inward: it iterates on the usable fuel volume until the pressure vessel wall + insulation thickness exactly fills the available envelope.

Sizing involves three nested solves:
  1. Outer loop – adjusts fuel volume (V_guess) until the total outer radius

    (structural wall + insulation) matches the external envelope.

  2. Middle solve – finds the insulation thickness that satisfies the allowable

    heat leak constraint for a given inner geometry.

  3. Inner solve – finds the equilibrium temperature at the insulation outer

    surface by balancing external convection/radiation with conduction through the wall and insulation.

The wall thickness ratio (ro/ri) is solved once before the outer loop because it depends only on internal/external pressures and material yield strength (von Mises), which do not change during iteration.

Parameters:

  • fuel_tank (Fuel_Tank) – Fuel tank object. Must have external dimensions already set by the upstream non-integral tank function.

  • fuel_tanks (Container) – Parent container (tank is removed if sizing produces invalid results).

  • (in-place) (Updates)

  • ------------------

  • fuel_tank.volume_properties.net_volume (usable fuel volume [m³])

  • fuel_tank.volume_properties.gross_volume (total internal volume incl. ullage [m³])

  • fuel_tank.inner_structure.* (pressure vessel geometry)

  • fuel_tank.insulation_thickness (required insulation thickness [m])

  • fuel_tank.structural.mass_properties.mass (structural shell mass [kg])

  • fuel_tank.insulation.mass_properties.mass (insulation mass [kg])

  • fuel_tank.mass_properties.mass (total tank mass (structure + insulation) [kg])