An experimental and analytical research program is discussed to develop a passive, two-phase fluid separation device for on-orbit operation. The concept utilizes a vortical flowfield which is developed by converting the axial momentum of the fluids into angular momentum to develop centrifugal forces on the liquid to provide a forcefield to separate discrete phases in a microgravity environment. Initial results are shown which maps the range of operation of the current device. Flowfield images are shown which demonstrate the ability of the device to separate fluid phases. The analytical model utilizes an iterative method to predict the trajectory of single bubbles within the flowfield with inviscid effects, viscous effects, and dynamic lift modeled.
Shoemaker, J.M., Schrage, D.S., Microgravity Fluid Separation Physics: Experimental and Analytical Results, 35th Aerospace Sciences Meeting & Exhibit, AIAA, Reston, VA, AIAA-97-0886, pp. 1-13, January 6, 1997.