Vapor chamber fin radiator study for the potassium Rankine cycle.A structurally integrated vapor chamber fin (heat pipe) radiator is defined and evaluated as a potential candidate for rejecting waste heat from the potassium Rankine cycle powerplant. Several vapor chamber fin geometries, using stainless steel construction, are evaluated and an optimum is selected. A comparison is made with an operationally equivalent conduction fin radiator. Both radiators employ NaK-78 in the primary coolant loop. In addition, the Vapor Chamber Fin (VCF) radiator utilizes sodium in the vapor chambers. Preliminary designs are developed for the conduction fin and VCF concepts. Performance tests on a single vapor chamber were conducted to verify the VCF design.
Document ID
19730041189
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Gerrels, E. E.
Killen, R. E. (General Electric Co. Valley Forge, Pa., United States)
Couch, J. P. (NASA Lewis Research Center Space Power Systems Div., Cleveland, Ohio, United States)
Date Acquired
August 7, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1972
Subject Category
Thermodynamics And Combustion
Meeting Information
Meeting: Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference; Energy 70