The effects of g-jitter and surface tension induced convection on float zonesThe effects of g-jitter on nonencapsulated and encapsulated liquid bridges were investigated numerically, using fluid characteristics and parameters from three fluid systems: a silicone oil bridge, a methanol bridge, and a silicon melt. Results showed that complex flow patterns can arise in g-jitter environment which significantly modify the heat-transfer characteristics of the system. It was found that the nonencapsulated liquid bridges and float zone melts were dominated by surface-tension driven convection, with very little impact on the flows by residual and g-jitter accelerations. Zone encapsulation resulted in a sizeable drop in the maximum fluid velocities. The g-jitter computations on the encapsulated float zones resulted in significant augmentation of the maximum velocities and heat transfer, with the silicon melt being the least sensitive to g-jitter acceleration.
Document ID
19900035185
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Ramachandran, N. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center; Universities Space Research Association, Huntsville, AL, United States)
Winter, C. A. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)