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U.S. Department of Energy
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Design considerations for capillary heat pipes at cryogenic temperatures

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:7338627
A cryogenic heat pipe has been suggested as an efficient means of transferring heat from a cooled component on a spacecraft. A thermodynamic analysis of the heat pipe operation, at cryogenic temperatures, leads to the conclusion that the radiant heat leak into the system establishes a minimum temperature difference for efficient operation--the criterion being the absence of fluid boiling in the wick. A design equation for the maximum heat transport in the wick is presented and correlations for wicking characteristics and wick dimensions are established. A preliminary design for the spacecraft heat pipe is presented. Operating conditions and physical dimensions of the heat pipe and wick are specified. Possible wick materials and configurations are discussed, and a specific approach for experimentation is recommended.
Research Organization:
Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Oak Ridge, Tenn. (USA). School of Chemical Engineering Practice
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
OSTI ID:
7338627
Report Number(s):
ORNL-MIT-28
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English