PHASE CHANGE MATERIALS (PCM) FOR THERMAL CONTROL DURING SPACECRAFT TRANSPORTATION

Abstract

Phase Change materials (PCMs) absorb and release latent heat during their phase transition nearly at constant temperature. The latent heat storage phenomena using PCMs provides much higher storage density, with a smaller or zero temperature difference while storing and releasing of heat. PCMs have 5-14 times more heat capacity per unit volume than sensible storage materials that merits their usage as passive thermal control systems. They are effectively complemented with active thermal control systems in order to minimize their duty cycles and optimize the capacity. This paper discusses a passive thermal control system using PCMs to maintain the temperature within the limits inside the enclosures used for transportation of spacecrafts. Further, various applications of PCMs in the thermal control architecture as applied to spacecrafts are also discussed. The paper also discusses about the technologies such as Onboard power generation, Universal Spacecraft thermal control architecture and other significant spacecraft applications.