Performance investigations of liquid-metal heat pipes for space and terrestrial applicationsThe high heat transfer capacity of liquid-metal heat pipes is demonstrated in performance tests with mercury, potassium, sodium, and lithium working fluids and wick structures which serve to minimize liquid pressure losses and vapor/liquid interactions. Appropriate wicks for horizontal and vertical operation are described. It is shown that heat-transfer with these wicks is limited by vapor flow effects. Examples are given of particular effects associated with a long adiabatic section between evaporator and condenser and with a heat source of uniform temperature as opposed to a source of uniform power.
Document ID
19780051703
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Kemme, J. E. (Los Alamos Scientific Lab. NM, United States)
Keddy, E. S. (Los Alamos Scientific Lab. NM, United States)
Phillips, J. R. (California, University Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, Los Alamos, N. Mex., United States)