Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Experimental study on convergence of droplet streams under microgravity

  • Published:
Microgravity - Science and Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Experiments on the convergence of two droplet streams have been carried out under microgravity in order to develop a technique for converging droplet streams under microgravity and to examine the behavior of droplets in a vacuum and under microgravity after the binary droplets collide with each other. The working fluid is silicone oil with a low vapor pressure. In this study, a method of orienting the droplet generators toward a convergence point has been tested. In all of the 68 experiments conducted under microgravity, it is confirmed that droplet streams are converged. It has been concluded that the method of orienting multiple droplet generators to a convergeing point is effective for converging droplet streams under microgravity. The behaviors of the colliding droplets under microgravity and in a vacuum have been classified into five types. The five types of behavior are mapped on a We (Weber number) — B (impact parameter) diagram. The range of Weber numbers in the experiments is from 200 to more than 3000.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Mattick, A. T., Hertzberg, A.: Liquid Droplet Radiators for Heat Rejection in Space. Journal of Energy, Vol. 5, No. 6, pp.387–393 (1981).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Taussig, R. T., Mattick A. T.: Droplet Radiator Systems for Spacecraft Thermal Control. Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol. 23, No. 1, pp.10–17 (1986).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Massardo, A. F., Tagliafico, L. A., Fossa, M., Agazzani, A.: Solar Space Power System Optimization with Ultralight Radiator. Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 13, No. 4, pp.560–564 (1997).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Presler, A. F., Coles, C. E., Diem-Kirsop, P. S., White, K. A.: Liquid Droplet Radiator Program at the NASA Lewis Research Center. ASME 86-HT-15, June 1986.

  5. White, K. A.: Liquid Droplet Radiator Development Status. AIAA Paper 87-1537, June 1987.

  6. Glaser, P. E.: Power from the Sun: Its Future. Science, Vol. 162, p.857 (1968).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Mankins, J. C.: A Fresh Look at Space Solar Power: New architectures, concepts and technologies. Acta Astronautica, Vol. 41, Nos 4–10, pp.347–359 (1997).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Hanley, G. M.: Satellite Power Systems (SPS) Concept Definition Study (Exhibit D). NASA Contractor Report 3393, Vol.2, Mar. 1981.

  9. Orme, M.: Experiments on Droplet Collisions, Bounce, Coalescence and Disruption. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science, Vol.23, pp.65–79 (1997).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Qian, J., Law, C. K.: Regimes of coalescence and separation in droplet collision. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Vol.331, 59–80 (1997).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Willis, K. D., Orme, K. D.: Experiments on the Dynamics of Droplet Collisions in a Vacuum. Experiments in Fluids, Vol.29, pp.347–358 (2000).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Willis, K. D., Orme, K. D.: Binary Droplet Collisions in a Vacuum Environment: an Experimental Investigation of the Role of Viscosity, Experiments in Fluids, Vol.29, pp.347–358 (2000).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Frohn, A., Roth, N.: Dynamics of Droplets. Springer, Berlin, (2000).

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  14. Totani, T., Itami, M., Nagata, H., Kudo, I., Iwasaki, A., Hosokawa, S.: Performance of Droplet Generator and Droplet Collector in Liquid Droplet Radiator under Microgravity. Microgravity Science and Technology, Vol.XIII, No.2, pp.42–45 (2002).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Rayleigh, L.: On the Instability of a Cylinder of Viscous Liquid under Capillary Force. Philosophical Magazine, Vol.34, pp.130–145 (1892).

    Google Scholar 

  16. Weber, C.: Zum Zerfall eines Flüssigkeitsstrahles, Zeitschrift fuer Angewandte Mathematik und Mechanik, Vol.11, 136–154 (1931).

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  17. Totani, T., Itami, M., Yabuta, S., Nagata, H., Kudo, I., Iwasaki, A., Hosokawa, S.: Performance of Droplet Emittor for Liquid Droplet Radiator under Microgravity. Transactions of the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers Series B, Vol.68, No.668, pp.1166–1173 (2004). (in Japanese)

    Google Scholar 

  18. Micro-Gravity Laboratory of Japan Inc.: Micro-Gravity Drop Experiment Facility User’s Guide, Micro-Gravity Laboratory of Japan Inc., Toki, (2004). (This guide is available from http://mglab.homeip.net/eng/download/download.html).

  19. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency: User’s Guide of Aircraft Experiment System (Rev. C), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Tokyo, EG-89070C, (1999).

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Engineering, Hokkaido University, North 13 West 8, Kita-Ku, 060-8628, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan

    Tsuyoshi Totani

Authors
  1. Tsuyoshi Totani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Takuya Kodama
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Kensuke Watanabe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Harunori Nagata
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Isao Kudo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Totani, T., Kodama, T., Watanabe, K. et al. Experimental study on convergence of droplet streams under microgravity. Microgravity Sci. Technol 17, 31–38 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02872085

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02872085

Keywords

Search

Navigation