Performance demonstration of a high-power space reactor heat pipe design
Performance of a 15.9-mm diam, 2-m long, artery heat pipe has been demonstrated at power levels to 22.6 kW and temperatures to 1500 KAPPA. The heat pipe employed lithium as a working fluid with distribution wicks and arteries fabricated from 400 mesh Mo-41 wt% Re screen. Molybdenum alloy (TZM) was used for the container. Peak axial power density attained in the testing was 19 kW/cm/sup 2/ at 1465 KAPPA. The corresponding radial flux density in the evaporator region of the heat pipe was 150 W/cm/sup 2/. The extrapolated limit for the heat pipe at its 1500 KAPPA design point is 30 kW, corresponding to an axial flux density of 25 kW/cm/sup 2/. Sonic and capillary limits for the design were investigated in the 1100 to 1500 KAPPA temperature range. Excellent agreement of measured and predicted temperature and power levels was observed.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico
- OSTI ID:
- 5491526
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-830812-
- Journal Information:
- Proc., Intersoc. Energy Convers. Eng. Conf.; (United States), Vol. 4; Conference: 18. intersociety energy conversion engineering conference, Orlando, FL, USA, 21 Aug 1983
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
SPACE POWER REACTORS
HEAT PIPES
ACOUSTIC MEASUREMENTS
CONTAINERS
DESIGN
DIMENSIONS
EVAPORATORS
FLUX DENSITY
FORECASTING
LITHIUM
MOLYBDENUM ALLOYS
PERFORMANCE
POWER DENSITY
RHENIUM
SCREENS
TESTING
VERY HIGH TEMPERATURE
WORKING FLUIDS
ALKALI METALS
ALLOYS
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
METALS
MOBILE REACTORS
POWER REACTORS
REACTORS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
220800* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Propulsion Reactors