Profiles of Static Liquid-Gas Interfaces in Axisymmetric Containers with Different Accelerations

Area of Science:

• Fluid dynamics
• Microgravity science
• Interface phenomena

Background:

• Accurate measurement of liquid residue in spacecraft is critical for mission success and safety.
• Understanding bubble and liquid-gas interface behavior under varying accelerations is essential for effective fluid management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To derive and validate analytical procedures for predicting bubble profiles and liquid volumes under different accelerations.
• To quantify the impact of acceleration on bubble shape and liquid residue estimation.
• To provide insights for precise liquid residue measurement and management in spacecraft environments.

Main Methods:

• Derivation of second-order perturbation solutions for bubble profiles and liquid-gas interfaces.
• Development of six prediction procedures based on endpoint coordinates or volume inputs.
• Numerical simulations using the Volume of Fluid (VOF) method for validation.

Main Results:

• Numerical results closely matched predictions from the developed procedures.
• Increased acceleration leads to flatter bubbles and influences liquid volume predictions.
• Acceleration effects can cause up to 10% error in volume prediction if ignored.
• Significant liquid volume changes occur at low Bond numbers (Bo ≪ 1).

Conclusions:

• Acceleration and liquid contact angle are critical factors in evaluating liquid residue.
• The derived procedures and findings aid in accurate liquid residue measurement and fine management in spacecraft.
• Ignoring acceleration effects can lead to substantial errors in fluid volume predictions.