Marangoni and buoyant convection in an open cavity under reduced and under normal gravity

We give the first full analysis of the microgravity experiment MKB ( arangoni onvektion im offenen oot) conducted on board of the space shuttle during the D1-mission in 1985, together with that of some ground based experiments on thermocapillary flow in a rectangular liquid volume with free upper surface. Streamlines and velocity profiles under μ-g and l-g are presented and discussed. Strong thermocapillary flow was observed under μ-g after the rupture of a dirt-film suppressing surface tension forces. The Nusselt-number under microgravity due to thermocapillary flow for Ma = 4.6 · 10⁵ is at least Nu = 6 ± 1. Under l-g a separation of the surface tension driven convection roll of hot fluid circulating on top of colder fluid was found for large Ma. The coupling and decoupling of buoyant and thermocapillary forces has been further studied in an experiment varying the temperature gradient along the free surface independently from that in the bulk fluid.     

Surface tension-driven flows in horizontal liquid metal layers

The problem of surface tension-driven flows in horizontal liquid layers has been studied experimentally, and theoretically by direct numerical simulation and small perturbation analysis. We focus our attention on situations in which the depth of the fluid (liquid tin; small Prandtl number, Pr=0.015) is small enough to ensure the predominance of the surface tension forces over those due to the buoyancy. The surface velocity has been experimentally obtained for liquid tin layer with various aspect ratio (length to height) in the range 5<A<83. The thermal gradients are ranged from 5 to 40°K/cm. In the numerical study, the Navier-Stokes and energy equations are solved by an efficient finite difference technique. The parameters governing the flow behaviour in the liquid are varied to determine their effects on thermocapillary convection: the Reynolds number 10<Re<210⁴ and the aspect ratio 2<A<25; with Pr kept constant at Pr=0.015. The linear eigenequation resulting from small spatial disturbances of the Couette flow solution is solved using an Tau-Chebyshev approximation. A notable feature of the theoretical study is the totally different end circulations. In the region near the cold wall a multicell structure is evident. This agrees with the eigensolution which is of complex type, indicating spatial periodicity. In the hot wall region the flow is accelerated to reach the velocity value for the fully-developed Couette flow which is reached under conditions such as Re/A<20. The transition from viscous to boundary layer regime occurs for a critical value (Re/A)_c of nearly about 200, as deduced from the numerical and experimental results.     

环形液池热毛细对流的线性稳定性研究

对外壁加热的环形液池热毛细对流进行了线性稳定性分析.采用Chebyshev配点法对Pr=6.8、内外径之比为0.5、深宽比A范围为0.25～1.4的数值结果进行分析,发现流动的临界状态均为振荡形式,并且随着A的增大,临界雷诺数减小,相应的临界波数与振荡频率也呈减小趋势.能量分析结果表明,小扰动与基本流相互作用项较小,表面张力在径向做功与周向做功对小扰动的动能变化起主导作用.观察三者与液池深宽比的关系,发现A=0.8时表面张力在径向做功项达到极小值,周向做功项以及小扰动与基本流相互作用项达到极大值.      

Manipulation of Colloidal Droplets in Space and the Instability of Thermocapillary Convection in Large Prandtl Number Liquid Bridge in Microgravity

In 2016 and 2017, SJ-10 and TG-2 satellites were launched. In this short paper, we report recent progress on the studies of manipulation of colloidal droplets and instability of thermocapillary convection in large Prandtl number liquid bridge that based on the space experiments boarding SJ-10 and TG-2 satellites, separately. It was shown that the colloidal droplets can be successfully formed and manipulated in microgravity through the patterned substrates. In another aspect, the coffee-ring effect was observed at the first time in space. For the studies of the instability of thermocapillary convection in large Prandtl number liquid bridge in microgravity, our experiments in TG-2 broadened the way of such kind of study and abundant experimental results are emerging.      

Hydrothermal instability of thermocapillary convection in large-Prandtl-number liquid bridges under microgravity

Linear stability analysis was performed to study the mechanism of transition of thermocapillary convection in liquid bridges with liquid volume ratios ranging from 0.4 to 1.2, aspect ratio of 0.75 and Prandtl number of 100. 2-D governing equations were solved to obtain the steady axi-symmetric basic flow and temperature distributions. 3-D perturbation equations were discretized at the collocation grid points using the Chebyshev-collocation method. Eigenvalues and eigenfunctions were obtained by using the Q–R method.The predicted critical Marangoni numbers and critical frequencies were compared with data from space experiments. The disturbance of the temperature distribution on the free surface causes the onset of oscillatory convection. It is shown that the origin of instability is related to the hydrothermal origin for convections in large-Prandtl-number liquid bridges.     

Investigation of the differential rotation of the large-scale magnetic elements for the solar activity cycles 20 and 21

The differential rotation of the patterns of the large-scale solar magnetic field during solar activity cycles 20 and 21 is investigated. Compact magnetic elements with the polarity of the general solar magnetic field have larger speed of rotation than the elements with the opposite polarity. The surface of the Sun was divided by 10°-zones. In all of them the average rotation rate of the magnetic elements with negative polarity is little higher than that of the magnetic elements with positive polarity, except for 50°-zone of the south hemisphere and at the 10° latitude of the north hemisphere.

The rates of differential rotation for large-scale magnetic elements with negative and positive polarities have similar behavior for both cycles of the solar activity.

The rotation rate varies at polarity reversal of the circumpolar magnetic fields. For the cycle No 20 in 1969–1970 the threefold reversal took place in the northern hemisphere and variations of rotation rate can be noticed for magnetic elements both with positive and negative polarity for each 10°-zone in the same hemisphere.     

天舟一号货运飞船空间实验装置蒸发相变地面实验

以天舟一号货运飞船为依托,开展空间蒸发相变传热规律的科学实验研究,探索重力对蒸发传热传质过程的影响规律.设计了一套地面蒸发实验平台,以蒸发相变液体FC-72为研究对象,通过红外热像仪测温、热流量计、差分热电偶等手段,观测FC-72液层在不同台面温度、注液量等情况下的相变界面变化、蒸发表面特性、流体物性及Marangoni对流涡胞的变化等,获取其蒸发两相流体的液层温度差、表面温度场、热流量值、蒸发速率和涡胞结构等.实验结果表明:在其他条件不变的情况下,FC-72液层与蒸发台面的温差越高,其蒸发速率越快;注液量越大,蒸发速率也越大;在蒸发过程中出现了浮力对流涡胞和Marangoni对流涡胞.此外,通过地面蒸发实验可以确定空间科学实验选用的实验介质和材料,进而优化确定空间科学实验的工况、参数及流程等,部分地面实验结果也将直接成为天地对比实验的科学成果.      

Models for horizontal E- and F-region drifts

Plasma transport is very important for understanding the space-time variations of the ionosphere. Therefore, following a resolution of URSI Subcommission G4, an effort is made to create a computer code describing the main results of investigations the ionospheric drift which were not considered in IRI-1979.

The experimental data from 23 stations in the Northern Hemisphere were obtained between 1957 and 1970. The worldwide coverage in geographic latitude is 7°N to 71°N (7.5° to 64.1° geomagnetic) and O° to 131°E geographic longitude.

We have developed appropriate procedure which allow us to infer from these data the main parameters of the global ionospheric motions at E- and F-region levels.

An algorithm for computing the zonal and meridional drift components VX, VY can be found in IRI-1990.

The last version of the computer programm called DRIFT which does the test calculation of Ionospheric Drifts Global Model whith printing the tables at the Epson printer is written in Turbo ascal for the IBM PC AT 286/287 compatible computers. Program code (execute module) is about 25 Kbyte. Data files are about 10 Kbyte.

E- and F-region horizontal ionospheric irregularities drift data, worldwide obtained from 1957 to 1970 by D1 and D3 methods, are statistically analysed and a computer code for the average velocity variations in latitude and local time for some solar activity levels is constructed. The PC program DRIFT allows to determine zonal and meridional drift velocities of ionospheric irregularities at the lower (90 < h < = 140 km) and upper (h > 140 km) ionosphere.

The main block of the program DRIFT is the procedure DRIRR for calculating VX and VY for a period (P), geomagnetic (geographic) latitude (FI) and local time (LT) to be specified.

The example of the program DRIFT calculation for F-region (REG=2) and for the whole period of observations (P=1) is in Table. VX > 0 to east, VY > 0 to north. FI is geomagnetic latitude.     

Experimental drop tube of the metallurgy department of Grenoble

The drop tube which will be available in the “Centre d'Etudes Nucléaires de Grenoble” is described. Its main features are the following: - Dimensions : Drop height : 47.1 m Drop time : 3.1 s Tube inside diameter : 0.2 m - Experimental atmosphere : 1 Ultra-vacuum : 10⁻⁶ to 10⁻⁷ Pa - Residual gravity level : 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻⁹ g according to the vacuum level and drop diameter.

This facility is unique insofar as it enables experiments to be performed under ultra-vacuum conditions which, by delaying the formation of surface oxides, should contribute to improving maximum undercooling values.

The techniques used for obtaining small metallic drops (0.5 to 3 mm) are described. The availability of this instrument for the scientific community is also foreseen by the french sponsoring organizations (CEA, CNES, CNRS) ; some practicle informations will be given to potential experimenters.     

The optical bidirectional accelerometer

A new Optical Bidirectional Accelerometer (O.B.A.) is described in this paper.

This accelerometer gives in real time the acceleration level in two orthogonal axis.

The advantages of this instrument in microgravity environment during a parabolic flight experiment (e.g. in fluid mechanics) are explained. The capability of O.B.A. to detect variations of the gravity level is studied. Theoretical curves give the sensibility and accuracy of the accelerometer for different parameters.

We describe the prototype and the different tests realized on it. The experimental results of the ground investigations are compared with the theoretical curves described in the previous section. The second part of the tests has been realized during a ESA parabolic flight campaign with the NASA KC 135 aircraft and in collaboration with the Belgian Air Force on a Fouga Magister.     

Oscillatory thermocapillary convection in floating zones under normal- and micro-gravity

The thermocapillary convection in a floating zone becomes oscillatory, exceeding a Marangoni number of approximately 10⁴. The oscillatory state of thermocapillary convection has been verified under 1 g and 10^?4 g and the features seem to be fairly independent of the gravity level. The transition point from the laminar to the oscillatory state (critical Marangoni number), however, depends on the magnitude and direction of the buoyant force.     

EFFECTS OF CONVECTIVE FLUID MOTION UPON OXIDE CRYSTAL GROWTH IN HIGH TEMPERATURE SOLUTION

For understanding of the influence of convective flow on crystal growth, space high temperature in situ observation instrument (SHITISOI) is dedicated to visualize and record the whole growth process of oxide crystals in high temperature up to 1000°C. Model experiments using transparent liquids such as KNbO3 and a mix ture of Li2B4O7+KNbO3 were chosen to investigate effects on ground and in space.On the earth, an investigation of growth kinetics of KNbO3 crystal related to two different states of convection: diffusive-advective flow and diffusive-convective flow,has been performed. The per unit length of a step e is calculated from the exper imental data for two different states of convection. Analyses of these data show the effect of buoyancy convection is to enhance the sharpness of the interface. The growth of KNbO3 crystals from solution of KNbO3+Li2B4O7 was investigated in space. The streamlines of the steady thermocapillary convection in Li2B4O7 solvent was observed. Due to thermocapillary convection, KNbO3 crystal grains grew and filled the whole solution homogeneously. Earth-based quenching experiments are de signed in order to study polyhedral instability of KNbO3 crystal, which is controlled by diffusion mechanism limitation. In all cases, when the crystal was nucleated near air/solution surface, it lost its polyhedral stability and varied from polyhedrons to dedrites. The thickness of diffusion mechanism limitation layer is about 60μm.     

热毛细效应对细丝薄膜流动不稳定性的影响

根据重力与热毛细力耦合作用薄膜在细丝上的流动情况,采用长波近似推导了界面的演化方程.通过色散关系分析热毛细作用对Rayleigh-Plateau稳定性的影响;通过时空模式的稳定性分析,研究了系统的绝对对流不稳定性特性;通过直接数值模拟,研究了薄膜破裂和绝对对流稳定性的关系.      

Microgravity experiments on the transition from laminar to oscillatory thermocapillary convection in floating zones

The onset of oscillatory thermocapillary convection in floating zones has been measured under microgravity in two sounding rocket experiments TEXUS and on board of the satellite SPAS-01. We report on the critical Marangoni numbers measured under μ-g and in the 1-g reference experiments     

环形浅液池内低Prandtl数流体超临界热毛细对流演化

为研究低Prandtl数（Pr）流体热毛细对流演化过程，对环形浅液池内Pr=0.011的流体热毛细对流进行三维数值模拟.研究发现:当Marangoni数较小时，流动为轴对称稳态流动；当Marangoni数超过某一临界值后，流动失稳并转变为热流体波，其波数随Marangoni数增加而减小，而波动主频增大；随着Marangoni数增加，流动加强，沿周向运动的热流体波演变为沿径向运动的径向波，其波数大大减小；当Marangoni数继续增加时，波动频谱曲线噪声增加，呈广谱特性.因此，在计算范围内热毛细对流的演化过程为:轴对称稳态流动-热流体波-单周期径向波-多周期三维振荡流动.      

Two-dimensional Marangoni and buoyancy convection related to crystal growth techniques in space

The natural convection in the horizontal liquid layer driven both by surface tension gradient and buoyancy was investigated experimentally and theoretically.The fluid motion was visualized by mixing fine flakes of aluminum into the liquid. At the same time, the temperature field was visualized by the Mach-Zehnder interferometry and the local temperature gradient distributions were visualized by making use of the refraction of parallel incident light.The numerical analysis using the Galerkin method was also carried out which agreed well with the experimental results.It was found that the velocity and temperature fields of Marangoni convection were varied depending on the aspect ratio of the liquid layer and on the coupled buoyancy convection.     

Survey of the vestibulum, and behavior of xenopus laevis larvae developed during a 7-days space flight

Aquatic animals have almost no body weight related proprioception for spatial orientation. larvae, like fish, maintain their attitude in water by continuous correction with their fin(s). For these reasons a special performance of the equilibrium system compared to terrestrial animals is necessary. Evidently fish therefore have more compact (dense) otoliths; larvae have less dense otolith (membranes) similar to land vertebrates; but their sacculus-otoliths are vertically positioned, which also may lead to a higher g-sensitivity.

For plausibility reasons gravity should influence the embryonic development of gravity receptors. Yet, evaluations of photographs taken from the surface of cut deep-frozen objects by incident light show no aberration of the shape of the whole vestibulum and of the shape, density, size and position of the otolith membrane in larvae developed under near-zero g (NEXPA-BW-STATEX in D1-Mission).

The further evaluation of the “weightless-larvae” revealed a probably not yet described statolith-like formation in the dorsal wall of the vestibulum. In the weightless larvae this formation outnumbers, also qualitatively, strongly the 1-g controls.

An extra result is the lack of striking effects of cosmic radiation on the embryonic development of the flown eggs.

The swimming behavior of the larvae which was observed about one hour after landing of the Space Shuttle showed a typical anomaly (loop swimming), which is known from larvae developed on the clinostat or from fish flown aboard Apollo capsules.     

Computational fluid dynamics and material processing (buoyancy and thermocapillary convections in melts during directional crystallization)

Modelisation and solution of heat and mass transfer problems relevant for material processing are generally hard to be handled, as they often involve 3D unsteady flows, viscous mixtures, phase changes, moving liquid-solid fronts, deforming liquid-gas interfaces, etc.… For space applications, material processing benefits of reduced buoyancy convection but can be faced to a strongly increased complexity due to variable g, mainly in manned flight.

Computational techniques used to analyse fluid motions in material processing, accounting for free surface, crystallization front and bulk convection in melt, are reviewed with emphasis to directional crystallization. Hydrodynamics stability and bifurcation analysis are shown to be useful complementary tools for correlating data, and for a better understanding of the physical laws. This last point will be illustrated in the case of the onset of oscillations in metallic melts.     

超临界压力RP-3在竖直细圆管内混合对流研究

研究了超临界压力下碳氢燃料航空煤油RP-3在竖直细圆管内混合对流,分析了浮升力及热物性对碳氢燃料在垂直管中对流换热的影响。实验中控制热流密度从200~500 kW/m2变化,进口压力变化范围为3~5 MPa,进口雷诺数从5 000~10 500范围内变化。研究表明:在向上流动情况中进口段存在较为明显的入口效应,换热出现恶化现象,而在向下流动中未出现;对于向上和向下流动,由于热物性的综合影响,换热系数沿流动方向增大;在较低进口雷诺数(Re=5 700)时,对于向下流动,随着浮升力影响的增大,浮升力改变了流体径向速度分布,出现了换热强化;在较高进口雷诺数(Re=10 500)时,浮升力对换热的影响依然显著;判别式Bo*数小于5.6×10-7未能预测浮升力对碳氢燃料换热影响。      

Effects of rectilinear acceleration, caloric and optokinetic stimulation of human subjects in the Spacelab D-1 mission

A set of vestibular experiments was performed during the course of the German Spacelab D-1 mission from 30 October to 6 November 1985 by a consortium of experimenters from various european countries. Similar to the Spacelab SL-1 mission all of the scientific crew members were theoretically and practically trained for the experiments. Baseline measurements for all tests were collected 113, 86, 44, 30 and 18 days prior to the mission and compared with data taken inflight, on the landing day and the consecutive 7 to 14 days.

The hardware comprised mainly a motordriven accelerating platform, the SPACE SLED, and the vestibular helmet, a multi-purpose instrument in support of a variety of vestibular experiments including air-calorisation of the ears, optokinetic stimulation pattern presentation and optical and nystagmographic recording of eye movements.

Measurements of the threshold for the perception of detection of whole body movement did not reveal any dramatic changes in the 2 measured axes inflight when compared to preflight values. Early postflight values show a significantly elevated threshold for all axes in 3 out of 4 subjects.

The caloric nystagmus, already found during the SL-1 mission, was confirmed on all three tested subjects during the D-1 mission. It's amplitude and in some instances it's direction were influenced by horizontal acceleration on the SLED.

The amplitude of optokinetic nystagmus increased when subjects were allowed to free-float over that seen when subjects were fixed.

Stimulation of the neck receptors by roll movements of the body against the fixated head resulted in illusory object motion to the contralateral side. Torsional movements of the eyes during such neck receptor stimulation was present inflight and postflight, while it had not been observed preflight. Most results point to a reduction of otolithic effects in favour of visual and proprioceptive influences for spatial orientation.