Mathematical Simulation of Using a Combination of Mesh and Porous Materials as a Phase Separator

A combination of mesh and porous materials featuring bulk capillary properties is used as a phase separator in in-tank capillary inlet devices. These bulk capillary properties ensure a non-zero fluid flow into the interior of the in-tank inlet device after critical pressure has been reached. This quality makes it possible to reduce residual propellant volume in spacecraft engine tanks. We developed a mathematical simulation of an in-tank capillary inlet device comprising a phase separator made of a combination of mesh and porous materials. We represented a combination of mesh and porous materials as an array of "closely packed" transverse and longitudinal capillaries. Our mathematical simulation describes the operation of an in-tank inlet device after the critical manifold pressure has been reached. The fluid enters the interior of the in-tank inlet device one portion at a time. We determined the volume and arrival frequency of these portions and estimated the residual propellant volume in the propellant tank

References

[1] Bol’shakov V.A., Novikov Yu.M., Partola I.S. [Means ensuring the continuity of the liquid components in the "Breeze-M" RB fuel supply system with additional (resets) in fuel tank]. XXXIV Nauchnye chteniya, posvyashchennye nauchnomu naslediyu i razvitiyu idey K.E. Tsiolkovskogo [34th scientific readings dedicated to scientific heritage and the development of K.E. Tsiolkovsky ideas]. Kaluga, 1999, pp. 78--86 (in Russ.).

[2] Korol’kov A.V., Men’shikov V.A., Partola I.S., et al. Mathematical model of capillary internal device of toroidal fuel tank. Lesnoy vestnik [Forestry Bulletin], 2007, no. 2, pp. 35--39 (in Russ.).

[3] Korol’kov A.V., Partola I.S., Sapozhnikov V.B. [Principal theory of development and experimental testing capillary intake devices with minimal fuel residues]. Nauchno-tekhnicheskie razrabotki OKB-23 --- KB “Salyut” [Research and technologies of OKB-23 --- KB "Salyut"]. Moscow, Vozdushnyy transport Publ., 2006, pp. 313--319 (in Russ.).

[4] Novikov Yu.M., Bol’shakov V.A. Engineering school of BMSTU: combined porousmeshed metals. Efficient, safe and environmentally friendly products based on them. Bezopasnost’ zhiznedeyatel’nosti [Life Safety], 2005, no. 11, pp. 53--56 (in Russ.).

[5] Novikov Yu.M., Bol’shakov V.A. The first results of implementation of the concept of creating super-reliable CPMM filter for high-risk facilities and other objects of various branches of the Russian economy. Bezopasnost

[6] Aleksandrov A.A., Khartov V.V., Novikov Yu.M., et al. Current state and prospects of capillary fuel-intake units made of combined porous metals-mesh for long lifetime spacecraft. Vestn. Mosk. Gos. Tekh. Univ. im. N.E. Baumana, Mashinostr. [Herald of the Bauman Moscow State Tech. Univ., Mechan. Eng.], 2015, no. 6, pp. 130--142 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.18698/0236-3941-2015-6-130-142

[7] Partola I.S. [The results of design and development of capillary intake devices for US "Breeze-M" toroidal fuel tank]. Sb. dok. 1 Mezhd. nauch.-tekh. konf. "Aerokosmicheskie tekhnologii" [Proc. 1st Int. Sci.-Tech. Conf. "Aerospace Technologies"]. Moscow, Bauman MSTU Publ., NPO "Mashinostroenie" Publ., 2004, pp. 19--22 (in Russ.).

[8] Novikov Yu.M., Bol’shakov V.A., Partola I.S. [First long construction of capillary intake device from CPMM: proving reliability and high efficiency according to exploitation results of additional fuel tank of "Proton-M"/"Breeze-M" aerospace rocket complex]. Raketno-kosmicheskie dvigatel

[9] Novikov Yu.M., Bol’shakov V.A., Partola I.S. Stability of parameters of long capillary fuel intake devices made of combined porous mesh metals. Izvestiya vysshikh uchebnykh zavedeniy. Mashinostroenie [Proceedings of Higher Educational Institutions. Маchine Building], 2015, no. 11, pp. 106--113 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.18698/0536-1044-2015-11-106-113