Investigation on isothermal wicking performance within metallic weaves for screen channel liquid acquisition devices (LADs)

Abstract

Wicking performance within the metallic screen is one of the key foundation to preventing gas penetration for screen channel liquid acquisition devices (LADs), which are designed to provide vapor free propellant for space crafts. In this study, based on the theoretical analysis on screen microscopic structure and wicking characteristics, a vertical isothermal wicking experiment was carried out using three selected Dutch Twill Weaves (DTWs) with HFE-7500 as the test fluid. According to the agreement between experimental results and the wicking theory, three macroscopic structural parameters named porosity, equivalent capillary diameter (ECD) and permeability were obtained both in warp and shute directions for 200 × 1400 DTW (woven with 200 warp wires and 1400 shute wires per square inch), 325 × 2300 DTW and 510 × 3600 DTW, respectively. Results show that, a finer mesh screen at the same direction is of a larger porosity, a smaller ECD and a smaller permeability, while the same mesh is of a smaller ECD and a larger permeability at the warp direction over the shute direction. In general, the wicking velocity is higher in a coarser mesh and is higher along the warp direction.