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SiOC Screens with Aligned and Adjustable Pore Structure for Screen Channel Liquid Acquisition Device.
Pedro Henrique da Rosa Braun1, Prithvi Shukla2, Kurosch Rezwan1,3
1Advanced Ceramics, University of Bremen, Am Biologischen Garten 2, IW3, 28359 Bremen, Germany.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|February 11, 2023
Summary
Newly developed silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) ceramic screens act as effective screen channel liquid acquisition devices (SC-LADs) for space propellant management. These porous screens demonstrate excellent performance in microgravity, enabling efficient liquid acquisition.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Porous ceramic screens are crucial for propellant management in microgravity.
- Existing screen channel liquid acquisition devices (SC-LADs) require materials with high chemical stability, low density, and thermal conductivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate and evaluate silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) screens with aligned pores as SC-LADs.
- To investigate the influence of pore size and porosity on SC-LAD performance.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of SiOC screens using freeze-casting.
- Characterization of pore window sizes (6–43 µm) and open porosity (65% or 79%).
- Performance testing of SC-LADs under varying flow rates and porosities.
Main Results:
- Crack-free SiOC screens were produced with controllable pore characteristics.
- SC-LADs with 79% porosity achieved gas-free liquid removal up to 4 mL s-1.
- Lower porosity (65%) SC-LADs exhibited higher pressure drops and were limited to 2 mL s-1.
Conclusions:
- SiOC screens are viable SC-LADs for microgravity propellant management.
- Pore structure significantly impacts SC-LAD efficiency and pressure drop.
- The particle-free liquid removal capability suggests suitability for harsh environments.
