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At least 19 records

Probing the microscopic corrugation of liquid surfaces with gas-liquid collisions

We have measured the directions and velocities of Ne, Ar, and Xe atoms scattering from perfluorinated ether and hydrocarbon liquids to probe the relationship between the microscopic roughness of liquid surfaces and gas-liquid collision dynamics. Impulsive energy transfer is governed by the angle of deflection: head-on encounters deposit more energy than grazing collisions. Many atoms scatter in the forward direction, particularly at glancing incidence. These results imply that the incoming atoms recoil locally from protruding C-H and C-F groups in hard spherelike collisions.

King, Mackenzie E.

Studies of Two-Phase Gas-Liquid Flow in Microgravity

Two-phase gas-liquid flows are expected to occur in many future space operations. Due to a lack of buoyancy in the microgravity environment, two-phase flows are known to behave differently than those in earth gravity. Despite these concerns, little research has been conducted on microgravity two-phase flow and the current understanding is poor. This dissertation describes an experimental and modeling study of the characteristics of two-phase flows in microgravity. An experiment was operated onboard NASA aircraft capable of producing short periods of microgravity. In addition to high speed photographs of the flows, electronic measurements of void fraction, liquid film thickness, bubble and wave velocity, pressure drop and wall shear stress were made for a wide range of liquid and gas flow rates. The effects of liquid viscosity, surface tension and tube diameter on the behavior of these flows were also assessed. From the data collected, maps showing the occurrence of various flow patterns as a function of gas and liquid flow rates were constructed. Earth gravity two-phase flow models were compared to the results of the microgravity experiments and in some cases modified. Models were developed to predict the transitions on the flow pattern maps. Three flow patterns, bubble, slug and annular flow, were observed in microgravity. These patterns were found to occur in distinct regions of the gas-liquid flow rate parameter space. The effect of liquid viscosity, surface tension and tube diameter on the location of the boundaries of these regions was small. Void fraction and Weber number transition criteria both produced reasonable transition models. Void fraction and bubble velocity for bubble and slug flows were found to be well described by the Drift-Flux model used to describe such flows in earth gravity. Pressure drop modeling by the homogeneous flow model was inconclusive for bubble and slug flows. Annular flows were found to be complex systems of ring-like waves and a substrate film. Pressure drop was best fitted with the Lockhart- Martinelli model. Force balances suggest that droplet entrainment may be a large component of the total pressure drop.

Bousman, William Scott

An experimental study on gas-liquid phase fluid migration in hydrate-bearing sediments during hydrate dissociation

Natural gas hydrate production tests face problems such as severe sand blockage, poor gas-liquid phase separation, and significant land subsidence. This is because of the insufficient understanding of the complex phase transition and gas-liquid multi-phase fluid migration during hydrate dissociation. In hydrate-bearing sediment systems, hydrate phase transition couples with gas-liquid fluid migration. The phase transition causes changes in pore structure, which in turn modifies porous infiltration parameters and fluid flow capacity. Meanwhile, alterations in phase interfaces affect key parameters like surface tension and wettability. Gas-liquid fluid migration influences heat and mass transfer, thus affecting phase equilibrium and dissociation rates. To bridge the gap in describing gas-liquid fluid migration during hydrate dissociation in experiments, this research innovatively integrated an unsteady-state gas displacement by water and a quantitative hydrate dissociation process, independently developed a multi-phase seepage experimental system suitable for hydrate dissociation and determined the relationship between seepage parameters and hydrate saturation under different porosity. The results are as follows: a) Core samples with higher initial porosity show a greater recovery rate of fluid flow capacity. b) The retarding effect of multi-phase fluid has a more significant impact on the migration of the wetting phase fluid (water) than that of the non-wetting phase fluid (methane). c) During hydrate dissociation, the evolution of absolute permeability shows an “S-shaped” pattern, and the evolution of relative permeability shows a “wiring-harness” pattern. In conclusion, the findings can provide a theoretical basis for preventing geological disasters and for geotechnical engineering design during hydrate production.

58 GEOSCIENCES

Supersonic Gas-Liquid Cleaning System

The Supersonic Gas-Liquid Cleaning System Research Project consisted mainly of a feasibility study, including theoretical and engineering analysis, of a proof-of-concept prototype of this particular cleaning system developed by NASA-KSC. The cleaning system utilizes gas-liquid supersonic nozzles to generate high impingement velocities at the surface of the device to be cleaned. The cleaning fluid being accelerated to these high velocities may consist of any solvent or liquid, including water. Compressed air or any inert gas is used to provide the conveying medium for the liquid, as well as substantially reduce the total amount of liquid needed to perform adequate surface cleaning and cleanliness verification. This type of aqueous cleaning system is considered to be an excellent way of conducting cleaning and cleanliness verification operations as replacements for the use of CFC 113 which must be discontinued by 1995. To utilize this particular cleaning system in various cleaning applications for both the Space Program and the commercial market, it is essential that the cleaning system, especially the supersonic nozzle, be characterized for such applications. This characterization consisted of performing theoretical and engineering analysis, identifying desirable modifications/extensions to the basic concept, evaluating effects of variations in operating parameters, and optimizing hardware design for specific applications.

Kinney, Frank

Gas-Liquid Supersonic Cleaning and Cleaning Verification Spray System

NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC) recently entered into a nonexclusive license agreement with Applied Cryogenic Solutions (ACS), Inc. (Galveston, TX) to commercialize its Gas-Liquid Supersonic Cleaning and Cleaning Verification Spray System technology. This technology, developed by KSC, is a critical component of processes being developed and commercialized by ACS to replace current mechanical and chemical cleaning and descaling methods used by numerous industries. Pilot trials on heat exchanger tubing components have shown that the ACS technology provides for: Superior cleaning in a much shorter period of time. Lower energy and labor requirements for cleaning and de-scaling uper.ninih. Significant reductions in waste volumes by not using water, acidic or basic solutions, organic solvents, or nonvolatile solid abrasives as components in the cleaning process. Improved energy efficiency in post-cleaning heat exchanger operations. The ACS process consists of a spray head containing supersonic converging/diverging nozzles, a source of liquid gas; a novel, proprietary pumping system that permits pumping liquid nitrogen, liquid air, or supercritical carbon dioxide to pressures in the range of 20,000 to 60,000 psi; and various hoses, fittings, valves, and gauges. The size and number of nozzles can be varied so the system can be built in configurations ranging from small hand-held spray heads to large multinozzle cleaners. The system also can be used to verify if a part has been adequately cleaned.

Parrish, Lewis M.

Characterization of annular two-phase gas-liquid flows in microgravity

A series of two-phase gas-liquid flow experiments were developed to study annular flows in microgravity using the NASA Lewis Learjet. A test section was built to measure the liquid film thickness around the perimeter of the tube permitting the three dimensional nature of the gas-liquid interface to be observed. A second test section was used to measure the film thickness, pressure drop and wall shear stress in annular microgravity two-phase flows. Three liquids were studied to determine the effects of liquid viscosity and surface tension. The result of this study provide insight into the wave characteristics, pressure drop and droplet entrainment in microgravity annular flows.

Bousman, W. Scott

Flow Regime Transitions and Pressure Drop in Gas-Liquid Flows through Packed Beds in Microgravity

The Packed Bed Reactor Experiment (PBRE) focused on the hydrodynamics of gas-liquid flow in porous media, specifically on flow regime transition and pressure drop correlation. The reactor included a cylindrical test section of 60 cm in length, 5 cm in diameter and filled with 2 mm spherical glass beads. Liquid water and Nitrogen gas were flowed into a centrifugal phase separator after exiting the test section. Five absolute pressure transducers and two high-speed video cameras spanned the test section to measure the pressure drop and capture flow regime behavior. Video observations, analysis of pressure traces, and pressure drop data were used to identify flow patterns. It was found that the slope of pressure gradient data when plotted versus the gas or liquid Reynolds numbers changed when the flow regime changed. This observation was used to identify the flow regime boundaries. At high liquid flow rates (high interaction regime), dispersed bubble and pulse flow regimes were detected. At low liquid flow rates (low interaction regime), large bubble and gas channeling regimes were observed. The transition from the big bubble regime to the gas channeling regime occurred at a critical gas flow rate independent of the liquid flow rate. Similarly, the transition from the low interaction to the high interaction regime occurred at a critical liquid flow rate. For these different flow regimes, different two-phase flow friction factors and pressure gradient correlations were fitted as a function of the gas and liquid modified Reynolds numbers and Suratman number. It was found that in all the flow regimes the capillary contribution to the pressure drop is significant and can be as high as 90% of the total pressure drop.

Brian Motil

Scaling analysis of gas-liquid two-phase flow pattern in microgravity

A scaling analysis of gas-liquid two-phase flow pattern in microgravity, based on the dominant physical mechanism, was carried out with the goal of predicting the gas-liquid two-phase flow regime in a pipe under conditions of microgravity. The results demonstrated the effect of inlet geometry on the flow regime transition. A comparison of the predictions with existing experimental data showed good agreement.

Lee, Jinho