Propellant Management Devices for Low-Gravity Fluid Management: Past, Present, and Future Applications

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive background and historical review of propellant management devices used throughout space flight history. The purpose of a propellant management device is to separate liquid and gas phases within a propellant tank and to transfer vapor-free propellant from a storage tank to a transfer line en route to either an engine or a receiver depot tank, in any gravitational or thermal environment. The design concept, basic flow physics, and principle of operation are presented for each type of propellant management device. The three primary capillary-driven propellant management device types of vanes, sponges, and screen channel liquid acquisition devices are compared and contrasted. For each propellant management device type, a detailed review of previous applications using storable propellants is given, which include space experiments as well as space missions and vehicles, in storable and cryogenic propellants. Future needs and recent technology developments are also discussed for future in-space cryogenic propellant management.