capillary transport between parallel perforated plates (CFM PP) / kryogene fluidhandhabung: parallel perforated plates (KFH PPP)

abstract

Propellant management devices are used to supply thrusters with gas free propellant. Therefore, these devices have to be able to store a minimal amount of propellant during the ballistic phase. This amount has to be sufficient for the chill down phase and the pre-acceleration for settling the liquid in the tank. Normally, propellant acquisition takes place by means of capillary forces. This includes modules for leading and holding the liquid.
In the thrusting phase these modules have a negative influence. They induce a higher pressure loss in the propellant feeding system. Some parts are made out of perforated plates to reduce this pressure loss. Such perforations influence the capillary transport and change the flow pattern.
This experimental study was conducted to understand the influence of these perforations. For analysis of the impact of perforation parameters different diameters, plate distances and perforation alignments have been tested. The experimental condition of microgravity allows for perforations in scale of centimetres and visibility of flow phenomena directly at perforation edges.

KFH PPP

experiment year: 2013
number of drops: 26

CFM PP

experiment year: 2012
number of drops: 24

experiment year: 2011
number of drops: 17