Performance investigations of liquid-metal heat pipes for space and terrestrial applications
Abstract
The high heat transfer capacity of liquid-metal heat pipes is demonstrated in performance tests with mercury, potassium, sodium, and lithium working fluids and wick structures which serve to minimize liquid pressure losses and vapor/liquid interactions. Appropriate wicks for horizontal and vertical operation are described. It is shown that heat-transfer with these wicks is limited by vapor flow effects. Examples are given of particular effects associated with a long adiabatic section between evaporator and condenser and with a heat source of uniform temperature as opposed to a source of uniform power.
- Publication:
-
3rd International Heat Pipe Conference
- Pub Date:
- 1978
- Bibcode:
- 1978ihp..conf..260K
- Keywords:
-
- Heat Pipes;
- Heat Transfer;
- Liquid Metals;
- Performance Tests;
- Spacecraft Design;
- Adiabatic Flow;
- Gas Flow;
- Ground Stations;
- Liquid-Vapor Interfaces;
- Radiant Cooling;
- Temperature Control;
- Working Fluids;
- Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer