Investigation on the Velocity Distribution in Screen-channel Liquid Acquisition Device

The screen-channel Liquid Acquisition Device (LAD), which is one of the most promising technologies for propellant management,can supply vapor-free propellant to spacecraft engine under micro gravity.In this paper,the Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) technique was used to observe the velocity distribution when water and IPA flow across the screen mesh.The result shown that the injection velocity increases along the outflow direction and reaches maximum near the outlet.The simulation model was developed and porous jump model was used to describe the flow across mesh screen,which was verified by the experimental data.The flow characteristics of cryogenic fluids such as liquid oxygen,liquid hydrogen,liquid nitrogen and liquid methane were also explored through simulation.The non-uniformity of injection velocity is 72.3%,67.7%,65.7% and 55.1%,respectively.The results shown that the non-uniformity of injection velocity is related to the density and viscosity.Considering of the influence of velocity distribution,the critical flow rates were calculated.The critical flow rate of LOx is bigger than LCH₄ and LN₂,while LH₂ is smallest among these four cryogenic fluids,which is only 7.1%of LOx.This paper provides a reference for the design and performance prediction of LAD.