Time-dependent methodology for non-stationary mass flow rate measurements in a long micro-tube

This paper reports the experimental and numerical analysis of time-dependent rarefied gas flows through a long metallic micro-tube. The experimental methodology was conceived on the basis of the constant volume technique and adapted to measure the evolution with time of a transient mass flow rate through a micro-tube. Furthermore, the characteristic time of each experiment, extracted from the pressure measurements in each reservoir, offered a clear indication on the dynamics of the transient flow as a function of the gas molecular mass and its rarefaction level. The measured pressure evolution with time at the inlet and outlet of the micro-tube was compared to numerical results obtained with the BGK linearized kinetic equation model. Finally, we present an original methodology to extract stationary mass flow rates by using the tube conductance, which can be associated with the characteristic time of the experiment, measured for different mean pressures between two tanks. The results were obtained in a wide range of rarefaction conditions for nitrogen (N-2). A brief comparison is offered with respect to R134a (CH2FCF3), too, a heavy polyatomic gas which is typically used in the refrigeration industry.