Bubbles and Droplets in Tubing in Reduced Gravity

摘要

Droplets or bubbles in liquid- or gas-filled tubing, respectively, should be expected in habitats and the construction of habitats in reduced gravity. Life support systems, thermal control loops, transfer of fuels or other liquids, and similar necessities will create situations in which two-phase fluid systems operate or sit quiescent. In all cases – static or flowing droplets in gas or bubbles in liquid – droplets or bubbles will often become wall-bound. Once in contact with the tubing wall, the contact angle of the liquid phase becomes of critical importance to the zeroand reduced-gravity environments. In an isothermal zero-gravity environment, for example, only tubing shape, contact angle, and volume determine the stable geometry of the droplet or bubble at static conditions.