Test Results of Reliable and Very High Capillary Multi-Evaporators / Condenser Loop

The paper presents the results of various SABCA activities in the field of two-phase heat transport, being a critical review and analysis of existing capillary pumped loops, the identification of the needs of future capillary pumped two-phase thermal control systems, the development of capillary evaporators, which incorporates nickel porous structures, that can provide a pumping pressure up to 38000 Pa, and the solving of the problem of capillary pump cavitation.

These activities have led towards the development of a reliable multi-evaporator/condenser capillary pumped loop, which is discussed in details.

A test loop configuration is described. The presented results of various tests clearly prove the viability of the concept for future applications.

Proposed flight demonstrations are presented.