Factors Affecting the Selection of Parameters for Low Temperature Heat Pipes for Spacecraft Thermal Control V. F. PRISNYAKOV, Y. K. GONTAREV, Y. V. NAVROOZOV & V. N. SEREBRYANKSY Summary Various aspects of heat pipe behavior were studied both theoretically and experimentally. Useful results are presented for a variety of wick structures and working fluids. Both static and dynamic behaviors are covered. This treatment leads to a discussion of how to determine appropriate heat pipe design parameters for space applications. Introduction The evaporation and condensation of a working fluid inside a closed system—a heat pipe—is an efficient means of removing heat from the interior of a spacecraft. It appears to be reasonable to use heat pipes as heat transport devices in active temperature control systems where the latent heat of vaporization provides significant benefits. The use of heat pipes in heat rejection radiators is of practical importance. Lower radiator thermal resistance leads to a better spacecraft mass to power ratio, and more precise control of the internal temperature. Using heat pipes to distribute waste heat to the radiator reduces its mass, simplifies its construction and increases its reliability. Radiator efficiency (temperature drop) depends on the heat fluxes in the vaporization and condensation zones of the heat pipes. Radiator efficiency is optimized by maximizing the heat flux obtainable for a given temperature drop through appropriate design. The influence of heat pipe parameters such as size and pore structure on achievable heat flux must be understood in order to properly design heat rejection radiators. We are only aware of one paper [1] which reports such relations. Experimental Research We report here a wide range of experiments on heat exchange processes in heat pipes. Our experimental apparatus [2] consists of a recirculating temperature regulated liquid bath for cooling the heat pipe’s condensing zone and an electric heater for heating the V. F. Prisnyakov, Y. K. Gontarev, Y.V. Navroozov and V. N. Serebryanksy, Dniepropetrovsk State University.
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