Advanced industrial heat pipe recuperator. Phase I. Final report, September 1984-April 1985

Technical Report · Wed May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985

OSTI ID:6468959

Coombs, M G; Strumpf, H J; Kotchick, D M; Stillwagon, T L

As part of the advanced high-temperature recuperator development program conducted by the Department of Energy, AiResearch is studying the use of ceramic heat pipes with a liquid-metal working fluid. The objectives of the AiResearch study effort include conducting specific analysis and preliminary laboratory work required to develop critical elements of the ceramic heat pipe, developing a preliminary economic analysis of a full-size heat pipe waste heat recovery system, identifying and detailing the research and development tasks required for the successful fabrication of the heat pipe, and defining a conceptual module to be tested and evaluated later in the program. The ceramic heat pipe recuperator concept developed by AiResearch offers several advantages over the more conventional tubular-type systems. Because each heat pipe is essentially an independent heat exchanger, the failure of a single tube does not compromise recuperator integrity and has only a minimal effect on overall heat exchanger performance. This independent element characteristic also enables easier replacement of individual heat pipes in the recuperator. In addition, the heat pipe acts as an essentially isothermal heat transfer device, leading to a high thermodynamic efficiency. Cost estimates developed for heat pipe recuperator systems indicate quite favorable payback periods. Laboratory studies have demonstrated the feasibility of fabricating the required ceramic tubes, coating the inside of the tubes with CVD tungsten (which functions as both a protective layer and a heat pipe wick), and sealing the heat pipe with an electron-beam-welded or vacuum-brazed end cap. A detailed fabrication and assembly approach has been developed for an industrial-size heat pipe. 23 refs.

• Research Organization: AiResearch Mfg. Co., Torrance, CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-84ID12533
• OSTI ID: 6468959
• Report Number(s): DOE/ID/12533-1; ON: DE86004152
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320304* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Waste Heat Recovery & Utilization
AIR HEATERS
ALKALI METALS
CARBIDES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CERAMICS
CHEMICAL COATING
CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION
DEPOSITION
DESIGN
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY TRANSFER
FABRICATION
FLUE GAS
GASEOUS WASTES
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HEAT PIPES
HEAT TRANSFER
HEATERS
MATERIALS
MERCURY
METALS
NITRIDES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PNICTIDES
SILICON CARBIDES
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SILICON NITRIDES
SODIUM
SURFACE COATING
TEST FACILITIES
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
TUBES
TUNGSTEN
VAPOR PRESSURE
WASTE HEAT UTILIZATION
WASTE PRODUCT UTILIZATION
WASTES