Vapor-liquid interfacial dynamics and related liquid nitrogen boiling on perforated plates

For the switch from terrestrial gravity ("1g") to micro-gravity, we investi gate vapor-liquid interfaces and their control in simulation studies and ex periments. An improved level set method is presented for vapor bubble kinem atics prediction. In view of a wide range of vapor bubble dynamics phenomen a, our initial experimental investigations have focused on film boiling in and near perforated plates immersed in liquid nitrogen. A '"zeroth order" a pproximation of transport based on minimum energy expenditure rates provide s information on mean field vapor thickness. We have measured thermal condu ctance for the zero net mass flow case and finite mass flow. The data are c ompared with results obtained in comparison runs for single solid plates. ( C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.