Study of fluid behaviour under gravity compensated by a magnetic field

D Chatain (1) , D Beysens (1, 2) , K. Madet , Vadim Nikolayev (3) , A Mailfert (4)

1 SBT - Service des Basses Températures
2 PMMH - Physique et mécanique des milieux hétérogenes (UMR 7636)
3 SPEC - UMR3680 - Service de physique de l'état condensé
4 LEM - Laboratoire Environnement et Minéralurgie

Fluids, and especially cryogenic fluids like Hydrogen H2 and Oxygen O2 , are widely used in space technology for propulsion and cooling. The knowledge of fluid behaviour during the acceleration variation and under reduced gravity is necessary for an efficient management of fluids in space. Such a management also asks fundamental questions about thermo-hydrodynamics and phase change once buoyancy forces are cancelled. For security reasons, it is nearly impossible to use the classical microgravity means to experiment with such cryofluids. However, it is possible to counterbalance gravity by using the paramagnetic (O2) or diamagnetic (H2) properties of fluids. By applying a magnetic field gradient on these materials, a volume force is created that is able to impose to the fluid a varying effective gravity, including microgravity. We have set up a magnetic levitation facility for H2 in which many experiments have been performed. A new facility for O2 is under construction that will enable fast change in the effective gravity by quenching down the magnetic field. The facilities and some particularly representative experimental results are presented.

Domaines: Dynamique des Fluides [physics.flu-dyn]; Mécanique des fluides [physics.class-ph]; Thermique [physics.class-ph]

D Chatain, D Beysens, K. Madet, Vadim Nikolayev, A Mailfert. Study of fluid behaviour under gravity compensated by a magnetic field. Microgravity Science & Technology, 2006, ⟨10.1007/BF02870408⟩. ⟨hal-01262798⟩