Propellant Transfer Utilizing Cyclonic Separation in a Microgravity Environment

Members  Arber Shametaj Electrical Engineering  Carlos Diaz Mechanical Engineering  Andrew Tse Mechanical Engineering  Ka Fung Chin Electrical Engineering  Peter Gomes Electrical Engineering

Introduction  Microgravity research program  Flight on NASA C-9 “Weightless Wonder”  Collaboration with NASA Engineers  Experiment  Result of experiment  Future plans  Conclusion

 Allows participants to conduct Microgravity research  Teaches participants fundamentals of Engineering in a reduced gravity environment  Educates participants in the inner workings of NASA  Internship, Co-op and Job opportunities  Microgravity participants take precedence over other candidates Program Details

“Weightless Wonder” Platform  2 Flights  60 parabolas total  20 to 30 seconds of microgravity  NASA C-9 aircraft Courtesy of NASA

“Weightless Wonder” Platform  This flight maneuver has been used for over 40 years

Microgravity Experience

Experiment 2D Tank  Observe Cyclone rotating about longitudinal axis  Achieved by injecting water tangent to the wall & parallel to floor.  Drained in 2g. 3D Tank  Observe Cyclone rotating about longitudinal & latitudinal axis  Achieved by injecting water tangent to the wall & 45 ̊ angle  Drained in 2g.

Experiment Transfer System  3D Cyclone used to separate water and gas  Secondary pump used to extract fluid from walls of tank Transfer Outlet

Results 2D cyclone successfully separates gas and liquid. At different gas to liquid ratios, cyclone able to separate the gas and liquid Some liquid was successfully transferred throughout the system. Avoiding transferring gas bubbles unsuccessful 3D cyclone successfully separates gas and liquid. At different gas to liquid ratios, cyclone able to separate the gas and liquid

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