Development of Boiling and Two-Phase Flow Experiments on Board ISS: Research Objectives and Concept of Experimental Setup

Abstract

Boiling and two-phase flow attract much attention for the improvement of cooling and heat dissipation processes on the ground and in space. However, there is very limited number of experimental data and no systematic or no coherent data needed for the design of space thermal management systems. In addition to establish the framework of database for boiling and two-phase flow in microgravity, the clarification of dominant force regime map is of top importance. Once the operating conditions free of gravity effect are clarified, reliable space systems can be developed by the iteration of ground tests. Furthermore, two-phase mixtures involving vapor phase can be transported independent of its orientation in the terrestrial cooling systems. Flow boiling experiments is planned onboard ISS by JAXA in 2016. In the present paper, individual subjects in the regimes of nucleate boiling and two-phase forced convection and the subjects in liquid-vapor interfacial behaviors are discussed by the citation of the results from the experiments of short microgravity duration, and the design concept of experimental setup under the restrictions inherent in the space experiment is described including the structures of test sections already integrated in PFM.