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"We [need to understand] how boiling of cryogens behaves in microgravity conditions [encountered in space]," says Florian Chavagnat, a sixth-year doctoral candidate in the Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering (NSE). After all, understanding how cryogens boil in space is critical to NASA's fuel management strategy. The vast majority of studies on boiling evaluate fluids that boil at high temperatures, which doesn't necessarily apply to cryogens. Under the advisement of Matteo Bucci and Emilio Baglietto, Chavagnat is working on NASA-sponsored research about cryogens and the way the lack of buoyancy in space affects boiling.
A childhood spent tinkering
A deep understanding of engineering and physical phenomena is exactly what Chavagnat developed growing up in Boussy-Saint-Antoine, a suburb of Paris, with parents who worked for SNCF, the national state-owned rail company. Chavagnat remembers discussing the working of trains and motors with his engineer dad and building a variety of balsa-wood models. One of his memorable projects was a sailboat propelled by a motor from an electric toothbrush.
By the time he was a teenager, Chavagnat received a metal lathe as a gift. His tinkering became an obsession; a compressed air engine was a favorite project. Soon his parents' small shed, meant for gardening, became a factory, Chavagnat recalls, laughing.
A lifelong love of math and physics propelled a path to the National Institute of Applied Science in Rouen, Normandy, where Chavagnat studied energetics and propulsion as part of a five-year engineering program. In his final year, Chavagnat studied atomic engineering from INSTN Paris-Saclay, part of the esteemed French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA).
The final year of studies at CEA required a six-month-long internship, which traditionally sets the course for a job. Chavagnat decided to take a chance and apply for an internship at MIT NSE instead, knowing his future course might be uncertain. "I didn't take a lot of risk in my life, but this one was a big risk," Chavagnat says. The gamble paid off: Chavagnat won the internship with Charles Forsberg, which paved the way for his admission as a doctoral student. "I selected MIT because it has always been my dream school," Chavagnat says. He also enjoyed the idea of challenging himself to improve his English-speaking skills.
A love of physics and heat transfer
Chavagnat loves physics - "if I can study any problem in physics, I'd be happy" he says - which led him to working on heat transfer, more specifically on boiling heat transfer. His early doctoral research focused on transient boiling in nuclear reactors, part of which has been published in the International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer.
Chavagnat's research targets a specific kind of nuclear reactor called a material test reactor (MTR). Nuclear scientists use MTRs to understand how materials used in plant operations might behave under long-term use. Densely packed nuclear fuel, running at high power, simulates long-term effects using a very intense neutron flux.
To prevent failure, operators limit reactor temperature by flowing very cold water at high velocity. When reactor heat power increases uncontrollably, the piped water begins to boil. Boiling works to prevent meltdown by altering neutron moderation and extracting heat from the fuel. "[Unfortunately], that only works until you reach a certain heat flux at the fuel cladding, after which the efficiency completely drops," Chavagnat says. Once the critical heat flux is reached, water vapor starts to blanket and insulate the fuel elements, leading to rapidly rising cladding temperatures and potential burnout.
The key is to figure out the behavior of maximum boiling heat flux under routine MTR conditions - cold water, high flow velocity, and narrow spacing between the fuel elements.
Study of cryogenic boiling
Boiling continues to occupy center stage as Chavagnat pursues the question for NASA. Cryogens boil at very low temperatures, so the question of how to prevent fuel loss from routine space-based operations is an important one to answer.
Chavagnat is studying how boiling would behave under reduced or absent buoyancy, which are the conditions cryogenic rocket fuel will encounter in space.
To reproduce space-like conditions on Earth, buoyancy can be modified without going to space. Chavagnat is manipulating the inclination of the boiling surface - placing it upside down is an example - such that buoyancy does not do what it usually does: help bubbles break away from the surface. He is also performing boiling experiments in parabolic flights to simulate microgravity, similar to what is experienced aboard the International Space Station.
Chavagnat designed and built equipment which can perform both methods with minimum changes. "We observed nitrogen boiling on our surface by imaging it using two high-speed video cameras," he says. The experiment was approved to go on board the parabolic flights operated by Zero-G, a company that operates weightless flights. The team successfully completed four parabolic flights in 2022.
"Flying an experiment aboard an aircraft and operating it in microgravity is an incredible experience, but is challenging," Chavagnat says, "Knowing the details the experiment is a must, but other skills are quite useful - in particular, working as a team, being able to manage high stress levels, and being able to work while being motion-sick." Another challenge is that the majority of issues cannot be fixed once aboard, as aircraft pilots perform the parabola (each lasting 17 seconds) almost back-to-back.
Throughout his research at MIT, Chavagnat has been captivated by how complex a simple phenomenon like boiling can truly be. "In your childhood, you have a certain idea of how boiling looks, relatively slow bubbles that you can see with the naked eye," he says, "but you don't realize the complexity until you see it with your own eyes."
In his infrequent spare time, Chavagnat plays soccer with the NSE's team, the Atom Smashers. The group meets only five times a semester so it's a low-key commitment, says Chavagnat who spends most of his time at the lab. "I am doing mostly experiments at MIT; it turns out the skills I learned in my shed when I was 15 are actually quite useful here," he laughs.
SpaceDaily News Analysis
Analyst A - Space Industry Analyst Relevance: 8/10
For an analyst specializing in the space industry, this article holds considerable relevance. It discusses NASA's strategy for fuel management during extended space missions, a significant challenge given the weight constraints and need for efficient use of cryogenic fuels. Understanding the boiling behavior of cryogens in microgravity conditions is crucial to this strategy. The analyst's primary audience would be stakeholders in the space industry, including space agencies, private space exploration companies, and investors interested in space technologies.
Analyst B - Nuclear Industry Analyst Relevance: 7/10
From a nuclear industry analyst's perspective, this article also has relevance because it delves into the process of boiling in nuclear reactors, with a focus on transient boiling in material test reactors (MTRs). This knowledge is essential for understanding and managing the risks of reactor overheating and failure. The main audience for this analyst would be the nuclear energy industry, which includes nuclear power plants, regulatory agencies, and nuclear technology companies.
Analyst C - Physics and Thermodynamics Analyst Relevance: 8/10
A Physics and Thermodynamics Analyst would find this article quite relevant as it delves into the complex physics of boiling, both in Earth's gravity and microgravity conditions. The interplay of heat transfer, phase change, and buoyancy is central to this analyst's specialty. The audience for this analyst would likely be researchers and educators in the field of physics, as well as industries that rely on understanding thermodynamics, such as energy, engineering, and manufacturing sectors.
Analyst Summary
The article delves into the intricate physics of boiling, particularly as it applies to nuclear reactors and fuel management for extended space missions. From a space industry perspective, understanding the boiling behavior of cryogenic fuels in microgravity is critical to NASA's strategy for fueling spacecraft during long-term missions. In the nuclear industry context, understanding boiling, especially transient boiling in MTRs, is essential for preventing reactor failure and managing risks. The physics and thermodynamics aspect of the article emphasizes the complexity and importance of boiling in various industrial applications and research areas.
Over the past 25 years, significant advancements in both the nuclear and space industries have been made, with an increasing emphasis on safety, efficiency, and understanding fundamental physical processes. The current research on boiling, as highlighted in the article, echoes these trends. It involves leveraging a deep understanding of physics to solve practical challenges, a common theme in both industries over the past few decades.
Five potential investigative questions can be posed to further understand the implications of this article:
1. How does the behavior of cryogens boiling in microgravity conditions differ from their behavior under Earth's gravity, and how might this knowledge affect the design of future spacecraft propulsion systems? Understanding these details can provide a more nuanced view of the topic.
2. What are the potential implications of this research on boiling for the broader nuclear industry, particularly in terms of reactor safety and efficiency? This question helps assess the potential impact and relevance of the topic.
3. How could future developments in boiling research influence the space and nuclear industries, and what technological innovations might arise from such research? Understanding potential future developments helps paint a picture of the future trajectory of these industries.
4. What challenges or obstacles might arise in implementing the findings of this research in practical applications, such as spacecraft refueling strategies or nuclear reactor operations? Exploring potential challenges provides insights into practical difficulties that may need to be overcome.
5. How have key industry stakeholders, such as NASA and nuclear power plants, responded to this research on boiling, and how might it influence their future strategies and operations? Stakeholder perspectives are crucial as they can guide the direction and impact of the topic in the industry.
Related Links
Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering
Space Technology News - Applications and Research
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