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Investigations of Physical Processes in Microgravity Relevant to Space Electrochemical Power SystemsNASA has performed physical science microgravity flight experiments in the areas of combustion science, fluid physics, material science and fundamental physics research on the International Space Station (ISS) since 2001. The orbital conditions on the ISS provide an environment where gravity driven phenomena, such as buoyant convection, are nearly negligible. Gravity strongly affects fluid behavior by creating forces that drive motion, shape phase boundaries and compress gases. The need for a better understanding of fluid physics has created a vigorous, multidisciplinary research community whose ongoing vitality is marked by the continuous emergence of new fields in both basic and applied science. In particular, the low-gravity environment offers a unique opportunity for the study of fluid physics and transport phenomena that are very relevant to management of fluid - gas separations in fuel cell and electrolysis systems. Experiments conducted in space have yielded rich results. These results provided valuable insights into fundamental fluid and gas phase behavior that apply to space environments and could not be observed in Earth-based labs. As an example, recent capillary flow results have discovered both an unexpected sensitivity to symmetric geometries associated with fluid container shape, and identified key regime maps for design of corner or wedge-shaped passive gas-liquid phase separators. In this presentation we will also briefly review some of physical science related to flight experiments, such as boiling, that have applicability to electrochemical systems, along with ground-based (drop tower, low gravity aircraft) microgravity electrochemical research. These same buoyancy and interfacial phenomena effects will apply to electrochemical power and energy storage systems that perform two-phase separation, such as water-oxygen separation in life support electrolysis, and primary space power generation devices such as passive primary fuel cell.
Document ID
20160004090
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Presentation
Authors
Lvovich, Vadim F.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH United States)
Green, Robert
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH United States)
Jakupca, Ian
(Vantage Partners, LLC Brook Park, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
March 30, 2016
Publication Date
September 15, 2015
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
GRC-E-DAA-TN26570
Meeting Information
Meeting: International Symposium on Physical Sciences (ISPS-6)
Location: Kyoto,
Country: Japan
Start Date: September 14, 2015
End Date: September 18, 2015
Sponsors: Japan Society of Microgravity Application, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNC12BA01B
WBS: WBS 717302.04.01.01.03
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
energy storage
microgravity
fuel cells
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