Liquid Management in Low Gravity Using Baffled Rotating Containers
Abstract
Possible static configurations of liquids in rotating cylindrical containers with baffles evenly spaced in the axial direction are found. The force balance is among surface tension, centrifugal force and gravity. Two instabilities are found in this parameter space: type 1 is the inability of the liquid to form an interface attached to the baffles; type 2 is the inability for multi-baffled configurations to sustain interfaces between each pair of baffles. The type 1 analysis is confirmed through laboratory based equipment. Applications to orbiting containers are discussed.
- Publication:
-
Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets
- Pub Date:
- May 1985
- DOI:
- 10.2514/3.25745
- Bibcode:
- 1985JSpRo..22..287G
- Keywords:
-
- Baffles;
- Cylindrical Shells;
- Fluid Management;
- Liquid Filled Shells;
- Reduced Gravity;
- Rotating Cylinders;
- Gravity Probe B;
- Liquid-Liquid Interfaces;
- Stability;
- Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer