Limitations in variable conductance heat pipe performance and control predicted by the current steady-state model developed at NLR
Abstract
A uniaxial model for the transient performance of gas-loaded variable conductance heat pipes is discussed. The model has to be easily implementable in existing spacecraft thermal analyzer computer programs. A steady-state version of the model is available. It accounts for diffusion at the vapor/gas front (shown to be negligible), radial conduction in the wall and wick, and inertia and friction of the moving vapor. A parameter study was carried out to design a heat pipe and to define test conditions for the experimental verification of the model. Results illustrate that inertia and friction can induce considerable limitations in performance and control.
- Publication:
-
NASA STI/Recon Technical Report N
- Pub Date:
- January 1984
- Bibcode:
- 1984STIN...8617695D
- Keywords:
-
- Heat Pipes;
- Mathematical Models;
- Steady State;
- Temperature Control;
- Transport Theory;
- Capacitors;
- Conductive Heat Transfer;
- Friction;
- Methyl Alcohol;
- Moments Of Inertia;
- Performance Tests;
- Two Phase Flow;
- Vapor Pressure;
- Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer