Results of Numerical Modeling and Experimental Activities in Preparation of the Maxus-5 Experiment
Abstract
The present paper describes numerical and experimental research activities carried out at MARS center for the preparation of an experiment on the Marangoni migration of a dissolving drop, composed by a liquid binary mixture having a miscibility gap. The paper integrates the results already presented in the previous congress, the emphasis is set on the determination of the parameters to be used for the MAXUS 5 sounding rocket mission, which is scheduled for spring 2003. Level set technique has been used for the calculation of the non-steady thermo-solutal capillary flow evolution in a bounded medium.Migration velocities and volume variation are calculated for different Marangoni numbers. The results of the numerical simulations provide the determination of drop radii and temperature gradients to be used during 12 minutes of low gravity, as provided by a MAXUS rocket. Experimental results provide accurate information on the refraction index gradient variation, due to the improvement of the interpretation of the fringe pattern. These results have allowed us to determine the optical parameters that optimize the Wollaston interferometer features. Comparison between numerical and experimental results shows a good agreement.
- Publication:
-
IAF abstracts, 34th COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- January 2002
- Bibcode:
- 2002iaf..confE.537B