Project Title:

High Heat Flux Evaporating Heat Exchanger For Zero Gravity Environment

09.14-3800
High Heat Flux Evaporating Heat Exchanger For Zero Gravity Environment
Creare Inc.
P.O. Box 71
Hanover
NH
03755
Valenzuela
Javier A.
17574

JSC

Abstract:

Two-phase thermal transport loops offer significant weight and performance advantages
over conventional single-phase spacecraft thermal management systems.  Key components
in two-phase thermal management systems are the evaporating and condensing heat exchangers
which couple the load to the two-phase thermal bus.  Advances in electronic packaging
are resulting in significant increases in the flux density of waste heat from payloads
and subsystem equipment.  Hence the need for high heat flux evaporating heat exchangers
which can operate in a zero gravity environment.  A novel evaporating heat exchanger
concept which has the potential to operate at heat fluxes which are an order of magnitude
larger than is possible with current heat pipe baseplates has been designed.  The
feasibility of the heat exchanger is assessed by performing a proof-of-concept experiment
and developing scoping analyzes to estimate its expected range of performance.