Condensation Droplets Shedding in Microgravity

Our experiments will investigate the shedding of condensates when exposed to airflow (aerodynamic forces) in the microgravity environment. Shedding of droplets from a surface is a critical part of the dropwise condensation process to improve heat transfer. Because the use of gravity as a droplet removal technique is not available in space, the use of airflow for shedding droplets needs to be considered for condensing heat exchangers in environmental control and life support systems that operate on near-earth space vehicles like the ISS. The use of surface coatings can increase or reduce the energy requirements for this process. The adhesion of the droplets which form because of condensation is a function of surface properties and the condensing period. We will test different surfaces, and condensing periods to understand the effect of the droplet distribution on the multi-droplet dislodging due to airflow (aerodynamic force).

Faculty Supervisor:

Alidad Amirfazli

Student:

Partner:

Université Libre de Bruxelles

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Energy and Utilities; Nanotechnology; Water

University:

York University

Program: