Transient Mathematical Modeling of a Reservoir Controlled Loop Heat Pipe

In this paper, a mathematical model of a loop heat pipe attached with thermoelectric converter was developed to simulate the transient behavior of actively controlled loop heat pipe radiator system. In this study, the thermoelectric converter was also modeled and combined with the loop heat pipe mathematical model. The model consists of one dimensional homogeneous flow, the thermal network of the casing, and the thermoelectric converter. The loop heat pipe radiator system was designed as a bread board model for the future experiment of on-orbit technical verification of the radiator system. The thermoelectric converter was attached on the reservoir of the loop heat pipe and connected to the evaporator with a thermal strap. The power input to the thermoelectric converter enables the loop heat pipe to actively vary the thermal conductance and control the operating temperature. The simulation results were compared with the experimental data tested on the ground condition and discussed.