An experimental and theoretical study of heat and mass transfer during the venting of gas from pressure vessels

Non condensing gas flow and heat transfer during venting of vessels are studied using experiments and analysis. A high pressure helium supply vessel is connected to a low pressure receiver via orifice and tubing. A single control volume analysis and a multi-dimensional analysis are used to predict pressure and mass-averaged temperature in the supply. Experiments utilizing transient PVT methods are conducted to obtain transient pressure and mass-averaged temperature data for validating the analysis. Measured transient pressures and mass-averaged temperatures in the supply are reproduced by analysis. Heat transfer is due to natural convection except for the early part of transfer.