Transient performance evaluation of an integrated heat pipe-thermal storage systemTransient performance tests of an integrated heat pipe-thermal storage system have been conducted. This system was developed as a part of an Organic Rankine Cycle-Solar Dynamic Power System receiver for future power systems. The integrated system consists of potassium heat pipe elements that incorporate thermal energy storage canisters within the vapor space and an organic fluid (toluene) heater tube used as the condenser region of the heat pipe. The transient performance tests determined the operating characteristics and power input limits of the integrated heat pipe-thermal storage unit under conditions corresponding to re-acquisition of the sun during emergence from eclipse conditions and to the initial start-up of the solar dynamic power system. The tests demonstrated that the heat pipe-thermal storage element is not limited under conditions corresponding to emergence from eclipse during normal orbital operations and the heat pipe will successfully start-up from the frozen condition with full input power at the onset. Details of the test procedures and results of the tests are presented in this paper.
Document ID
19890027838
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Keddy, E. (Los Alamos National Lab. NM, United States)
Sena, J. T. (Los Alamos National Lab. NM, United States)
Merrigan, M. (Los Alamos National Laboratory NM, United States)
Heidenreich, Gary (Sundstrand Corp. Rockford, IL, United States)
Johnson, Steve (NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)