Hybrid Convector/Radiator for High Altitude UAVs

Not Available The objective of this proposal is to demonstrate the feasibility of an innovative design that combines centrifugal separation, cross-flow filtration (CFF), Dean flow surface cleaning, and back-flush techniques into an effective micro-filtration unit. The centrifugal separation is effective in separating debris which has higher specific gravity than that of the DFM for particles as small as 20 microns. CFF is especially effective for feed flow with colloidal solids. Unlike dead-end filtration, the surface dynamics of CFF does not make gelatinous colloidal solids (which often get carried into fuel oil by seawater) extrude through filter pores, and thus does not compromise the performance of filtration. CFF makes use of the shear force parallel to the filter medium to reduce the cake formation on the filter surface. Dean flow is a secondary flow created in a curved flow passage. The resulting flow profile takes the form of a toroidal vortex. The vortex profile generates a high shear rate which acts to transport material such as colloidal solids and fine silts away from the membrane surface. The combination of these features with an automatic back-flushing device forms a compact, self-cleaning, and continuously operable unit suitable for pre-filtration in Navy shipboard fuel oil systems.