Monday, September 18, 2006

12:00 – 1:15 PM

KT 246

All faculty, staff, students and community individuals are invited.

The Reduced-Fill Tank Pressure Control Experiment: Zero Gravity Aboard the Space Shuttle

By

Professor Jihad Albayyari

Chair, Mechanical and Industrial engineering technology

Abstract:  Future space systems will require storage of cryogenic fluid in a low-gravity environment for extended periods of time.  Heat leaks to the containment vessel lead to an increase in the temperature and pressure of the fluid.  The absence of natural convection results in a non-uniform fluid temperature which exacerbates the pressure increase.  Therefore a re-circulating liquid jet is necessary to mix the fluid.  The major challenge facing designers is to provide sufficient velocity to obtain adequate mixing, without unduly increasing the energy input to the fluid.

Although ground studies are useful, it is impossible to determine the flow patterns and properly size the mixer without conducting relatively long-duration low-gravity experiments.  Therefore the Tank Pressure Control Experiment (TPCE) was designed.  The experiment was been flown aboard the space shuttle in 1997.  The flight successfully predicted flow patterns, and tank pressure collapse time.

Biography:  Jihad Albayyari received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati.  He was an associate professor for six years, a full professor for one year at Eastern Michigan University, and an assistant professor for four years at Northern Kentucky University. He was appointed to his current position in July, 2007. Dr.Albayyari has an active interest in developing a Space Grant Consortium at IPFW.

Pizza and drinks will be furnished, compliments of Dean Voland.

For additional information contact:  Ken Modesitt Modesitk@ipfw.edu 481-6237

Diann Keele keele@ipfw.edu 481-6381