Title

Engineering Study Of Vapor Cycle Cooling Equipment For Zero-gravity Environment

Date

1961

Index Abstract

Contrails and DTIC condensed

Photo Quality

Not Needed

Report Number

WADD TR 60-776

Corporate Author

Northern Research and Engineering Corporation

Laboratory

Flight Accessories Laboratory

Extent

256

Identifier

AD0267520

AD0267520

Access Rights

OTS

Distribution Classification

1

Contract

AF 33(616)-6783

DoD Project

6146

DoD Task

60998

DTIC Record Exists

Yes

Distribution Change Authority Correspondence

None

Special Scanning Requirements

Fold out pages

Report Availability

Full text available

Date Issued

1961-01

Abstract

This report discusses the results of an analytical and experimental study of space vehicle vapor cycle cooling systems operating in a zero-gravity environment. The evaporator temperature varied from 40 degrees F to 55 degrees F, and the condenser temperature varied between 150 degrees F and 250 degrees F; the evaporator cooling load varied from 400 BTU/min to 4000 BTU/min. The ultimate heat dissipation is by radiation to space. The study considers some of the problems encountered in the operation of a vapor cycle in a zero-gravity environment and presents solutions to these problems. Emphasis has been placed on the vapor-liquid separation problems in evaporation and condensation.
The vortex evaporator is presented as a solution to the zero-gravity evaporation problem. Its volume is less than that of a conventional plate-fin evaporator operating under a one-g environment, but its weight is greater. The spiral condenser is presented as a solution to the zero-g condenser problem; its volume is several times larger than the smallest tube-fin unit (operating at one-g) for the same conditions. An analysis for and design of a rotating condenser is shown. Wick materials are well suited to zero-gravity evaporators. The experimental work conducted in this study must be extended before any reliable design and construction of a wick evaporator is possible. Film condensation under zero gravity in the laminar region is also analyzed. For vapor cycles operating at large differences in condenser and evaporator temperature, the substitution of an expansion engine for the throttle valve results in a significant improvement in the cycle performance.

Publisher

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH : Wright Air Development Division, Air Research and Development Command, United States Air Force

Distribution Conflict

No

Provenance

IIT

Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control

Type

report

Subject

Thermodynamics

Entropy

Spacecraft

Refrigeration Systems

Coolants

Cooling

Heat Exchangers

Heat Transfer

Mathematical Analysis

Refrigerants

Artificial Satellites

Space Probes

Thermal Radiation

Vapors

Weightlessness

Format

1 online resource

Creator

Ginwala, Kymus