Rivulet/Droplet Dynamics and Boiling Incipience in Microgravity: Results of ESA Parabolic Flights Experiments

Two-phase flows are present in space applications: life support systems, electronic cooling devices, energy production and, as one can expect in the future, in waste water treatment for long duration space exploration missions. In many applications high heat fluxes are achieved by utilising the latent heat associated with the phase change from liquid to vapour. However, the physical mechanisms involved are intricate and many questions remain unanswered. Three independent experiments have been conducted during the 52nd ESA Parabolic Flights Campaign of May 2010 using a common apparatus