A Study of High Performance Gas-Liquid Phase Separator by Utilizing Y-junction under Micro-gravity Condition

Abstract

Gas and liquid phases are easily separated owing to buoyancy on the ground. However, in space (i.e. under micro-gravity condition), the method cannot be adopted. Many methods were proposed such as utilizing centrifugal force, capillary force and surface tension. But it is estimated to be difficult to apply to convective two-phase flows with high flow rate due to the low capacity. In this study, a method of a Y-junction by using the difference of inertia force between gas and liquid phases is proposed for a first-step and rough separation.