Abstract

The main objective of the presented work was to recreate the effect of a microgravity environment in conventional ground-based laboratories by decreasing the scale of the test sample. In order to assess the viability of such a technique, an experimental study of a sponge-type control PMD (Propellant management Device) was carried out. For the purpose of the study, a dedicated test rig was developed and built to perform tests at different sponge's scales at the research laboratory of fluid mechanics CMEFE of HEPIA in Geneva. The miniaturization of the sponges was performed by Wire Electrical Discharge Machining (WEDM) which allowed to manufacture the miniaturized sponges. For steady state investigations, experimental tests were performed and compared with theoretical data, based on the dimensionless number analysis. In order to reproduce physical similarity of the microgravity behavior, a known Bond Number was imposed in the experimental campaigns.

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