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Some experimental progresses in the study of self-rewetting fluids for the SELENE experiment to be carried in the thermal platform 1 hardware

par Van Vaerenbergh, Stefan ;Savino, Raffaele;Abe, Yoshiyuki;Pizzirusso, G.;Tsevecos, W.;Mojahed, Mohamed ;Galand, Quentin
Référence Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, IAC, 1, page (760-768)
Publication Publié, 2012

Article révisé par les pairs

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Résumé :

SELENE (SELf rewetting fluids for thermal ENErgy management) is a microgravity experiment proposed to the European Space Agency (ESA) in response to the Announcement of Opportunities for Physical Sciences. Main objectives of the microgravity research onboard ISS include the quantitative investigation of heat transfer performances of "self-rewetting fluids" and "nano self-rewetting fluids" in model heat pipes and validation of adequate theoretical and numerical modeling able to predict their behavior in microgravity conditions. According to the present plans two contracts have been assigned to European industries for parallel phase A studies of Thermal Platform 1, a simple, flexible and modular facility able to take advantage from the existing capabilities of the Fluid Science Laboratory and to host additional optical diagnostics and thermal stimuli for different experiments in the field of heat and mass transfer. The parallel phase A studies of Thermal Platform 1 are lead by EADS Astrium (Friedrichshafen) and QinetiQ Space (Antwerpen). This article summarizes the results of ground-based research activities in preparation of the microgravity experiments. They include: 1) thermophysical properties measurements; 2) study of thermo-soluto-capillary effects in micro-channels; 3) numerical modeling; 4) thermal and concentration distribution measurements with optical (e.g. interferometric) and intrusive techniques; 5) surface tension-driven effects and thermal performances test on different capillary structures and heat pipes; 6) breadboards development and support to definition of scientific requirements. ©(2012) by the International Astronautieal Federation.