Copper/water axially-grooved heat pipes for RTG applications
Abstract
The use of heat pipes for enhancing the overall heat-rejection capability of the radiative fins of a radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) offers significant weight savings for these systems. Copper/water heat pipes are best suited for these applications because of the associated operating temperature range and materials compatibility considerations, but long-term materials compatibility is a problem particularly when temperatures exceed 150 C. This paper discusses copper/water RTG heat pipe experience and describes the development of oxide-coated axially-grooved copper/water heat pipes which have demonstrated more than 8000 hours of continuous operation at 225 C with no gas generation attributable to chemical incompatibility. The chemical oxide coating is described as well as the life-test results. Thermal performance of the axially-grooved heat pipes which were optimized for the Department of Energy-sponsored selenide isotope generator (SIG) is presented.
- Publication:
-
13th Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference
- Pub Date:
- 1978
- Bibcode:
- 1978iece.conf.1707S
- Keywords:
-
- Copper;
- Heat Pipes;
- Performance Tests;
- Radioisotope Batteries;
- Spacecraft Power Supplies;
- Thermoelectric Generators;
- Accelerated Life Tests;
- Cooling Fins;
- Grooving;
- Heat Transmission;
- Selenides;
- Water;
- Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer