Conception of a compact flow boiling loop for the International Space Station- First results in parabolic flights

Abstract

The design of a pipe flow boiling experiment for the International Space Station is proposed, taking into account typical weight, power consumption and size constraints. The effect of singularities such as elbows upstream the test section is investigated. Velocity profiles downstream two elbows, measured by Particle Image Velocimetry are in good agreement with numerical simulation and allow to determine a specific distance (decay length) downstream the elbows for which the velocity profile recover its axisymmetry. From these results a breadboard is designed and tested in parabolic flights. Care has been taken to generate boiling downstream the decay length. Two-phase bubbly flow is observed with 2 perpendicular high-speed cameras in the test section and a symmetry of the bubble distribution in the pipe is verified for different gravity conditions when the bubbles are created after the decay length.

Keywords

• Flow boiling
• microgravity
• Dean Vortex
• Flow visualisation
• bubbly flow