Research on the fluid storage and management performance of a new type propellant refillable reservoir

Propellant refillable reservoir (PRR) is one of the most important parts of the vane-type surface tension tank (STT), and its fluid storage and management performance will determine propellant management ability of STT under microgravity environment. In present paper, numerical analysis and microgravity experiment study on fluid storage performance and transfers behaviour of a new type PRR are carrying out. Based on numerical simulation of fluid flow characteristics in the PRR, the rules of fluid storage, transfers and distribution of the PRR are obtained. A abbreviate model testing system of the PPR is established and the microgravity drop tower tests are conducted, then fluid storage and transmission rules of the PRR are gotten under microgravity environment. The analysis and tests results show that the new type PRR has better fluid storage and management ability, the fluid effective storage capacity is large, and fluid storage velocity is quick. The results offer valuable guidance for the design and optimization of new generation vane type propellant management devices (PMD), and also provide a new approach for fluid management and control in space environment.