Effects of Depressurization of Space Modules on Condensing Heat Exchangers

The ability of a cabin air condensing heat exchanger to survive the depressurization of a space module is limited. The phenomenon that limits a heat exchanger's survivability is freezing caused by the cooling effect of the condensate evaporating on the air side of the condensing heat exchanger and freezing the coolant water. There are several options for solving the problem. These options include:

• Isolate the air side of the heat exchanger.
• Design the heat exchanger to meet the demands of freezing.
• Increase the coolant temperature and/or the coolant flow rate.
• Control the rate of depressurization.