Performance Demonstration of a High-Power Space-Reactor Heat-Pipe Design.

摘要

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 exp 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 exp 2 at 1465 exp 0 K. The corresponding radial flux density in the evaporator region of the heat pipe was 150 W/cm exp 2 . The extrapolated limit for the heat pipe at its 1500 exp 0 K design point is 30 kW, corresponding to an axial flux density of 25 kW/cm exp 2 . Sonic and capillary limits for the design were investigated in the 1100 to 1500 exp 0 K temperature range. Excellent agreement of measured and predicted temperature and power levels was observed. (ERA citation 08:035838)