Unsaturated Flow in Zero Gravity - Lessons and Challenges. (5102)
Authors:
D. Or* - University of Connecticut S.B. Jones - Utah State University M. Tuller - University of Idaho S. Steinberg - NASA-JSC I. Alexander - NASA-GRC N. Diadzic - NASA-GRC
L.N. Reddi - Kansas State University G. Kluitenberg - Kansas State University F.L. Ogden - University of Connecticut R. Heinse - Utah State University
Abstract:
Improved understanding of behavior and distribution of fluids in porous media used for plant growth under reduced gravity is essential for design of advanced life support systems a key component in NASA’s future space missions. Interfacial arrangement and fluid flow behavior in reduced gravity may be different than observed in horizontal flow experiments on earth. Experimental results from flow and liquid configuration in porous micromodels on board NASA’s KC-135 demonstrated that the impact of reduced gravity is manifested at the meso-scale (cluster of pores) and is not a single pore phenomenon.
Reduce gravity accentuate the role of pre-wetted surfaces, enhances phase entrapment (liquid or gas), and affects macroscopic imbibition and drainage processes and sample scale hydraulic properties.
Several modeling options are available such as the implementation of the Lattice Boltzmann Method which provides insights enabling connections between liquid distribution and key transport properties (e.g., gaseous diffusion). New percolation-based scaling laws offer a potential for incorporation of pore space information and phase entrapment into new constitutive relationships for unsaturated porous media under variable gravity.
Speaker Information: Dani Or, University of Connecticut, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering University of Connecticut261 Glenbrook Road, Unit 2037 Storrs, CT, Storrs, CT 06269-2037;
Phone: (860) 486-2768; E-mail: [email protected]
Session Information: Monday, November 1, 2004, 7:55 AM-2:15 PM Presentation Start: 8:35 AM
Keywords: Unsaturated Flow; Reduced Gravity; Liquid distribution; Porous Media
