Modeling of two-phase thermocapillary flow in a spacecraft thermal control loop
Abstract
Two-dimensional numerical computations are conducted to investigate the steady-state flow and transport characteristics of liquid/vapor ammonia in a cylindrical cavity. The present model is a simplification of a reservoir for the thermal control of a space-based satellite system, where the interaction of thermocapillarity and buoyancy combined with the phase-change process appear under both normal and reduced gravity. Preliminary results for the cases of 0-g and 1-g gravitational fields indicate that the flow characteristics for the two environments are significantly different. These characteristics are explained by different transfer mechanisms that prevail under each condition. The results from 1-g ground-based testing of reservoirs can be applied to the 0-g space-based application in a limited way. The present model can help extend the knowledge obtained from ground-based tests to actual operating conditions in space.
- Publication:
-
Forum on Microgravity Flows - 1991
- Pub Date:
- 1991
- Bibcode:
- 1991fmgf.conf...15S
- Keywords:
-
- Capillary Flow;
- Reduced Gravity;
- Spacecraft Temperature;
- Temperature Control;
- Two Dimensional Models;
- Two Phase Flow;
- Ammonia;
- Computational Fluid Dynamics;
- Liquid-Vapor Interfaces;
- Transport Properties;
- Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer