DEvice for the study of Critical LIquids and Crystallization - High Temperature Insert (DECLIC-HTI)
Research Area: Fluid Physics
Expedition(S): 21-ongoing
Principal Investigator(s): ● Daniel Beysens, PhD, French Atomic Energy Commission
(CEA), Grenoble, France
● Yves Garrabos, PhD, Institut de Chimie de la Matière
Condensée de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
DEvice for the study of Critical LIquids and Crystallization -
High Temperature Insert (DECLIC-HTI) studies the transfer
of heat and mass in near-critical water and measurement
of its physical properties. The DECLIC-HTI design is
intended to be later compatible with the use of possible
toxic samples. The main functions of HTI are: to isolate a
sample from the shuttle atmosphere; to provide an
adequate thermal environment to the sample material; to
enable optical observation of the sample; and to enable
temperature measurements for the control and safety of
the experiment.EARTH BENEFITS
DECLIC-HTI will enable the development of supercritical
water reactors to be developed to treat waste as part of
applications on Earth (treatment of household waste,
nuclear waste, and extraction of oil fuels). This research
will lead to spin-offs in the field of clean technologies for
producing energy and treating waste.SPACE BENEFITS
The results obtained with the DECLIC-HTI scientific
program should benefit fluid management in space, and
potentially the organic waste treatment considering the
combustion in supercritical water processes, for future
expeditions beyond low-Earth orbit.RESULTS
The DECLIC-HTI Investigation is ongoing and pending
publication of results.This investigation is ongoing, and results are pending publication.
Pure water above the critical point
observed in wide field transmission
during ground tests of the DEvice for
the Study of Critical LIquids and
Crystallization - High Temperature
Insert. CNES image.The deformation of the shadow of a grid
evidences some density gradients
inside the cell. CNES image.