Near-wall liquid film flows for space applications

In this paper we present results of model experiments on interaction of near-wall liquid film with co-current gas flow inside supersonic nozzle under operating conditions of the International Space Station orientation thrusters. Wave pattern characteristics of films are studied with the help of coaxial capacity-type probes and data on the film local parameters - its thickness and velocity are obtained. It is shown that under the experimental conditions the co-current gas flow exerts strong dynamic impact on near-wall liquid film, leading to intensive wave formation and detachment of droplets by co-current gas flow. It is demonstrated that Weber number can be accepted as the main similarity criterion defining the nature of near-wall liquid film interaction with co-current gas flow under conditions considered.