Mechanically Pumped Advanced Control Loop: a Solution for High Power Platforms

Date

2021-07-12

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

50th International Conference on Environmental Systems

Abstract

Two-phase mechanically pumped loops have been identified as the potential solution for the heat management of high-powered platforms, such as next generation telecommunications satellites. The proposed concept Mechanically Pumped Advanced Control Loop (M-ACL) combines the advantages of a two-phase modular thermal control system and a mechanically pumped loop. In single-phase fluid loops temperature rise in the fluid and flow rate are directly proportional to the required heat transfer rate. High cooling loads lead to a large temperature rise and high pump power. For more effective thermal transport, the single-phase loop can be replaced by a two-phase one. This allows employing the latent heat of vaporization to significantly reduce flow rates, decrease temperature gradients, and increase heat transfer coefficients. M-ACL concept has been defined after an extensive literature and patents review. It is based on the multi-evaporator, multi-condenser Advanced Control Loop (ACL) concept, which means an integrate solution for the complete thermal control of the platform. The implementation of a mechanical pump in the system means an important increase of the heat transport capability that depends on the pump pressure rise characteristic. A trade-off has been performed to define main mechanical pump and M-ACL features. Additionally, a M-ACL engineering model has been designed based on a NACPA pump from RealTechnologie AG. In this study, the detailed design is presented as well as simulation results using a thermo-hydraulic model developed in EcosimPro simulation tool.

Description

Sa�l Campo, Ib�rica del Espacio S.A
Jes�s �lvarez, Ib�rica del Espacio S.A
Andrei Kulakov, Ib�rica del Espacio S.A
Francisco Romera, Ib�rica del Espacio S.A
�scar Lara, Ib�rica del Espacio S.A
Alejandro Torres, Ib�rica del Espacio S.A
ICES201: Two-Phase Thermal Control Technology
The 50th International Conference on Environmental Systems was held virtually on 12 July 2021 through 14 July 2021.

Rights

Availability

Keywords

Advanced Control Loop, Heat Pipe, Loop Heat Pipe, Pump, Two-Phase, High Power, Ammonia, Modular, Multiple evaporators, Multiple condensers

Citation