Two-Phase Flow in Packed Beds, Filters and Orifices: Summary of Findings of the Packed Bed Reactor Experiment Onboard of the International Space Station
Understanding the hydrodynamics of adiabatic two-phase flows in packed bed reactors enables the optimization of chemical reaction rates and products that crucial in pharmaceuticals and energy production industries. Additionally, this understanding aids in designing more efficient and compact reactors and reducing space and resource requirements. Insights gained from studying and understanding such flows in microgravity contribute to advancements of space technologies and the enhancement of our capabilities for undertaking future long duration safe, and sustainable space exploration missions. The objective of the Packed Bed Reactor Experiment series (PBRE and PBRE-2) was to develop a fundamental understanding of the hydrodynamics of adiabatic two-phase flows through porous media in microgravity. This work provides a description of the PBRE fluid system and presents the highlights of the PBRE and PBRE-2 previously flown with different packings and operated onboard of the International Space Station Microgravity Science Glovebox (ISS-MSG). These highlights include flow patterns and two-phase pressure drop, and the impact of capillary effects on pressure drop at various gas and liquid flow rates. This work also presents preliminary results from the Packed Bed Reactor Experiment-Water Recovery Series (PBRE-WRS) recently flown with filters and orifices, which was also operated on the ISS-MSG. The objective of the experiment is to validate hydrodynamic models at a range of gas and liquid flow rates pertinent to the operation of these test articles. The microgravity environment allows for measurement and observation of aspects of fluid dynamics that are unique when compared to observations made in full or partial gravity environments.