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Vibrational effect on thermal diffusion under different microgravity environments

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Abstract

Microgravity environments may provide perspective platforms for studying the phenomenon of thermal diffusion. It is, however, noted that the residual microaccelerations (g-jitters) in space laboratories may affect the accuracy of experiments due to convections that they induce. An appropriate interpretation of experimental results from the Space relies on a thorough understanding of the influence of g-jitters on thermal diffusion. In this paper, we have modelled the thermal diffusion process under different microgravity environments using measured g-jitter data onboard the International Space Station (ISS) and FOTON-12. The fluid system consists of a rectangular cavity filled with a ternary mixture of methane, n-butane and dodecane (50∶20∶30 mol%). A lateral heating condition is applied. Various case scenarios have been studied with respect to different locations in the ISS and FOTON; and a detailed analysis is made in comparison with the ideal zero gravity (0-g) scenario. It is found that the diffusion process is only slightly affected by the g-jitters in both platforms. Recommendations are made according to the findings from this study for the improvement of the accuracy of diffusion experiments in Space.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Ryerson University, M5B 2K3, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Y. Yan & M. Z. Saghir

  2. Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Toronto, M5S 3E5, Toronto, ON, Canada

    S. Pan

  3. NASA Glenn Research Center, 21000 Brookpark Road, 44135, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

    K. Jules

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  1. Y. Yan
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  2. S. Pan
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  3. K. Jules
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  4. M. Z. Saghir
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Correspondence to M. Z. Saghir.

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Yan, Y., Pan, S., Jules, K. et al. Vibrational effect on thermal diffusion under different microgravity environments. Microgravity sci. Technol. 19, 12–25 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02911863

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02911863

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