Two-phase pressure drop in lunar and Martian gravity: Experimental data and predictions

Book · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:100936

Ungar, E K; Miller, K M ^[1]; Chen, I Y ^[2]; Chen, I Y ^[3]

---

1. NASA/Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX (United States). Crew and Thermal Systems Division
2. McDonnell Douglas Aerospace, Houston, TX (United States). Crew and Thermal Systems Division
3. McDonnell Douglas Aerospace, Houston, TX (United States). Dept. of Thermal Control Systems

The first two-phase pressure drop data for lunar (0.17 Earth-normal gravity) and Martian (0.38 Earth-normal gravity) gravity conditions are presented for flow of R-12 horizontal smooth tubes of 4.6 mm (0.18 in) and 10.5 mm (0.41 in) inner diameters. The data were obtained in an experiment flown aboard the NASA KC-135 reduced gravity aircraft. Pressure drop measurements were obtained for mass flow rates between 0.005 and 0.05 kg/s (40 and 400 lbm/hr), and qualities over nearly the full two-phase range. Flow regime observations were made for the data points as well. The pressure drop measurements of the present work ar compared with commonly used prediction models available in the literature. An interfacial friction factor ratio is calculated for the stratified flow regime data, and the most accurate value for predicting the pressure drop is recommended. A second annular flow interfacial friction factor ratio is investigated as a key parameter for predicting the pressure drop for the eccentric annular and annular flow data. A relationship to predict the friction factor ratio for eccentric annular flow is developed. A recommendation is made for the best prediction methods to be used to predict annular flow pressure drops.

• OSTI ID: 100936
• Report Number(s): CONF-940659--; ISBN 0-7918-1373-8
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
ANNULAR SPACE
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
HEAT EXCHANGERS
MARS PLANET
MOON
PRESSURE DROP
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
TWO-PHASE FLOW
WEIGHTLESSNESS