Performance demonstration of a high-power space-reactor heat-pipe design

Conference · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:6026275

Merrigan, M A; Martinez, E H; Keddy, E S; Runyan, J; Kemme, J E

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/sup 0/K. 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/sup 0/K. 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/sup 0/K 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/sup 0/K temperature range. Excellent agreement of measured and predicted temperature and power levels was observed.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 6026275
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-83-1330; CONF-830812-19; ON: DE83012688
• Resource Relation: Conference: 18. intersociety energy conversion engineering conference, Orlando, FL, USA, 21 Aug 1983; Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
HEAT PIPES
PERFORMANCE TESTING
SPECIFICATIONS
SPACE POWER REACTORS
POWER RANGE 10-100 KW
MOBILE REACTORS
POWER REACTORS
REACTORS
TESTING
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
210600* - Power Reactors
Auxiliary
Mobile Package
& Transportable