MFHT

Multi Phase Flow and Heat Transfer (MFHT)

Objective:

• Develop models needed to predict the behavior of two-phase flows in geometries relevant to advanced heat exchangers in variable gravity environments.
• Develop a mechanistic understanding of flow regime characteristics affect heat transfer coefficients.

Experimental Approach:

• High speed thermography will measure local heat transfer to investigate effect of gravity and tube size on microgravity flow boiling in ESA Heat Transfer Host

Relevance/Impact:

• Enhance the development of two-phase thermal management systems, which provide isothermal control. By reducing the temperature difference between the heat source and radiator, the higher operating temperature for the radiator significantly reduces the area and weight of the radiator. Flow boiling transports the heat from its source to its sink in two-phase thermal management systems.
• Chilldown of transport line in cryogenic systems results in vaporization and needless loss of propellants.
• Relative increase in the effect of surface tension forces and reduction in buoyancy forces impacts bubble departure size, convective flows and heat transfer.

Project Development Approach:

• NASA review through SCR then reviews will follow ESA review cycle.
• A collaborative effort that will utilize the European Space Agency’s Heat Transfer Host within the EDR-2 rack to operate this experiment.
• ESA will provide hardware for PI. Launch vehicle not known yet.

Management

NASA Principal Investigator:  Prof. Jungho Kim, University of Maryland

ESA Science Team Coordinator:  Catherine Colin, Institut de Mécanique des Fluides de Toulouse

GRC Project Manager:  MSI/Nancy R. Hall

GRC Project Scientist:  LTZ/John McQuillen

Customers/Adopters (Push):  Nuclear Power/Propulsion, Thermal Control/Life Support, , Thermodynamic Vent System and Chilldown for Cryo Propellant Management