Steady Two-Phase Flow in a Reduced Gravity Environment

Portland State University Microgravity TeamAlbert Sitorus, Michael Bacich, Michael Severson, Jamie Kelso, and Megan Sala

NASA’s Reduced Gravity Student Flight Opportunities Program

Spring 2002: Notification of Program Summer 2002: Development of 1g test, BenchmarkingOct. 2002: Proposal to NASADec. 2002: Acceptance into the ProgramJan. 2003: TEDP DeadlineMarch 2003: Trip to Johnson Space CenterPresent: Analysis of Results

ApplicationsApplications

• Thermal control systems

• Power cycles• Storage of fuels,

propellants and cryogens

• Life support systems• Waste water

treatment and recycling

• Fluids management

Flow Regimes

Bubbly Slug Annular

http://microgravity.grc.nasa.gov/6712/2phase_flow/2phase.html

Slug Flow

Points of Interest:

• Steady-State Velocities • Deposition Rates• Slug Volumes

Behavior in Reduced Gravity

http://microgravity.grc.nasa.gov/school/gallery.htm

Previous Two Phase Experiments

Rousset B. Two-phase visualization at cryogenic temperature, 2000

Closed Circuit Loop

Terrestrial Design•Simple•Affordable•Small•Achieve Steady-State

Benchmarking

Dimensionless Film Thickness vs. Capillary Number

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4

Ca (x 10-3)

d /r

(x 1

0-2

)

Closed Circuit LoopChenBretherton

Reduced Gravity Apparatus

Test Equipment Data Package (TEDP)

• Strict Safety Requirements– Structural Analysis

• 9g Forward• 6g Downward • Impact

– Hazard Analysis– Electrical Analysis– Size and Weight

Test FacilityTest Facility

Flight Pattern

Reduced Gravity Flights

Reduced Gravity Experiment

Reduced Gravity Conclusions

-Achieved Steady State

-Design passed Test Readiness Review

-Withstood loading conditions

-Operated successfully

-Experiment size

-Camera Resolution

-Motors and Controllers

Design Changes

Special Recognition

• NASA’s Reduced Gravity Student Opportunity Program

• The Oregon Space Grant Program • Mark Weislogel • Portland State University’s College of

Engineering and Computer Science• FMC Allen Machinery • Chehalem Machine Works• Infinity Images