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Microgravity Liquid-Gas Two-Phase Flow: Review of Pressure Drop and Heat Transfer Correlations and Guidelines for Equipment OperabilityIn this report we have catalogued the flow regimes observed in microgravity, summarized correlations for the pressure drop and rate of heat transfer that are commonly used, and discuss the validation of a few correlations from available experimental results. Two-phase flow through some specific components such as bends, tees, filters and pumps are discussed from a physical perspective to guide the designer on how reduced gravity might affect their performance. Phase separation in zero gravity is addressed through the behavior and basic design concepts for devices based on passive centrifugal action, capillary forces, gas extraction through a membrane installed in a channel wall and the use of a syringe with a perforated piston to remove bubbles from small liquid volumes. We address the common instabilities that develop in flow loops owing exclusively to the two-phase nature of the flow, e.g., Ledinegg instability and concentration waves. Finally we briefly review flow metering and gauging; two-phase flow through porous media, where pressure drop and flow regime map correlations in zero-g are a current research topic; and basic operation principles of heat pipes and capillary pumped loops.
Document ID
20190001795
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
Balasubramaniam, R.
(Case Western Reserve Univ. Cleveland, OH, United States)
Rame, Enrique
(Universities Space Research Association (USRA) Cleveland, OH, United States)
Motil, Brian J.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
March 22, 2019
Publication Date
March 1, 2019
Subject Category
Fluid Mechanics And Thermodynamics
Report/Patent Number
E-19668
GRC-E-DAA-TN65638
NASA/TM-2019-220147
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNC13BA10B
WBS: WBS 904211.01.02.20.02
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
liquid-gas
Microgravity
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