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Pore Formation and Mobility Investigation (PFMI): Description and Initial Analysis of Experiments Conducted aboard the International Space StationFlow visualization experiments during the controlled directional melt back and re-solidification of succinonitrile (SCN) and SCN-water mixtures were conducted using the Pore Formation and Mobility Investigation (PFMI) apparatus in the glovebox facility (GBX) aboard the International Space Station. The study samples were initially "cast" on earth under 450 millibar of nitrogen into 1 cm ID glass sample tubes approximately 30 cm in length, containing 6 in situ thermocouples. During the Space experiments, the processing parameters and flow visualization settings are remotely monitored and manipulated from the ground Telescience Center (TSC). The ground solidified sample is first subjected to a unidirectional melt back, generally at 10 microns per second, with a constant temperature gradient ahead of the melting interface. Bubbles of different sizes are seen to initiate at the melt interface and, upon release from the melting solid, translate at different speeds in the temperature field ahead of them before coming to rest. Over a period of time these bubbles dissolve into the melt. The gas-laden liquid is then directionally solidified in a controlled manner, generally starting at a rate of 1 micron /sec. Observation and preliminary analysis of bubble formation and mobility in pure SCN samples during melt back and the subsequent structure resulting during gas generation upon re-solidification are presented and discussed.
Document ID
20030062119
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Grugel, R. N.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Anilkumar, A. V.
(Vanderbilt Univ. Nashville, TN, United States)
Lee, C. P.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2002
Subject Category
Space Sciences (General)
Meeting Information
Meeting: International Symposium on Physical Sciences in Space
Location: Toronto
Country: Canada
Start Date: May 4, 2003
End Date: May 8, 2003
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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