Author(s): J T Liu; M L Li; X P Li; L Chen; X R Lin

Linked Author(s):

Keywords: Propellant tank; Trap; Flow distribution; Micro gravity; VOF model

Abstract: A trap device is defined as a closed structure which holds and provides a specific quantity of propellant using the surface tension forces. A trap in a vane-type PMD is investigated. The influence of the cone angle of the trap and flow distributions with different conditions in space are investigated. The VOF model could be used to simulate the flow distribution in a trap with zero or small gravity condition. The optimal angle for the trap is α=45° and it has the best result of expulsion efficiency of the propellant tank. The trap can be full filled with propellant after 21 second at zero gravity condition and 37 second at north-south insurance condition. A gas bubble left in the trap at the end of the refilling process. There is no flow distribution change in the trap when the trap is full filled at reverse gravity condition and sink condition.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/163/1/012083

Year: 2017