A fluid-dynamic radiator system for a future large scale space station

A new type of fluid-dynamic radiator system employing heat pipe heat rejector (HPHR) is proposed for a future large scale space station which will dissipate more than a hundred kilowatt of heat energy to the space. One of the significant features of this system is that it works both as a radiator and a refrigerator depending on the thermal environment of the spacecraft. A thermodynamic cycle of HPHR is composed of two constant-volume and two adiabatic changes under a vapor-liquid coexisting condition. Therefore, the system can be operable effectively at relatively low pressure ranges of less than 1.0 MPa by selecting a suitable working fluid. This fact will result in a high coefficient of performance as a heat rejecting system equipped with no external compresser.