Experimental Investigation of a Capillary Pumped Loop Towards Its Integration on a Scientific Microsatellite

Abstract

This paper presents the experimental investigation of a capillary pumped loop (CPL) to be integrated on a scientific microsatellite. Tests in laboratory have been focused on the thermal behavior of a CPL on a reduced scale, using UHMW (Ultra High Molecular Weight) polyethylene as porous structure and anhydrous ammonia as working fluid. The experimental tests have shown that the proposed CPL presents reliable startups when operating on a heat load range between 20 and 50 W, also presenting very short transients when operating on different heat load profiles. Very fast responses of the CPL have been verified for sudden changes on the heat load applied to the capillary evaporator with reduced superheat. The proposed CPL will be part of a payload to be integrated on a Scientific Microsatellite scheduled to be launch in early 2004.