The Advanced Foam Materials Production in Microgravity using the Process of Vibroturbulization

Michael Shoikhedbrod

Abstract

Recently, the task of the intensification of the existing technological processes using the intensivemixing of different environment, which are characterized by different densities (water + gas, water +solid particles + gas, water + oil so forth) is actual. The conducted studies determined that at acertain frequency and vibration acceleration of vibration, a resonant phenomenon occurs—vibroturbulization, in which the above of the fluid surface air in a vibrating vessel with fluid takes anactive part in the intense mixing of several immiscible fluids and in the formation of a homogeneousmixture. Shoikhedbrod presented the theoretical model and calculation of the physical parameters ofvibroturbulization process, which were used in the intensification of existing technological processes(floatation) and in the development of completely new technological processes: advanced foammaterials production, uniform fully dense ceramics production, and biodiesel destruction preventionduring storage and transportation. The paper presents the results of theoretical modeling of featuresof the process of vibroturbulization, taking place in conditions of microgravity, which permitted todevelop a new method of an advanced foam materials production in microgravity using the above ofthe matrix melt surface air from microdispersed air bubbles in a vibrating vessel as a filler andpurposeful injection of the “working pillow” from microdispersed air bubbles, formed in the processof vibroturbulization, into the matrix melt by increasing of the vibration frequency as foaming of thematrix melt by a filler. The practical realization of the developed method in microgravity conditionswas confirmed during of tests aboard of flying laboratory aircraft IL-76K.

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