Search Add a publication

ID No : 847   Edit
Title: Development, Testing, and Failure Mechanisms of a Replicative Ice Phase Change Material Heat Exchanger
Summary / Review : "Phase change materials (PCM) may be useful for thermal control systems that involve cyclical heat loads or cyclical thermal environments such as Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Low Lunar Orbit (LLO). Thermal energy can be stored in the PCM during peak heat loads or in adverse thermal environments. The stored thermal energy can then be released later during minimum heat loads or in more favorable thermal environments. One advantage that PCM's have over evaporators in this scenario is that they do not use a consumable. Wax PCM units have been baselined for the Orion thermal control system and also provide risk mitigation for the Altair Lander. However, the use of water as a PCM has the potential for significant mass reduction since the latent heat of formation of water is approximately 70% greater than that of wax. One of the potential drawbacks of using ice as a PCM is its potential to rupture its container as water expands upon freezing. In order to develop a space qualified ice PCM heat exchanger, failure mechanisms must first be understood. Therefore, a methodical experimental investigation has been undertaken to demonstrate and document specific failure mechanisms due to ice expansion in the PCM. An ice PCM heat exchanger that replicates the thermal energy storage capacity of an existing wax PCM unit was fabricated and tested. Additionally, methods for controlling void location in order to reduce the risk of damage due to ice expansion are investigated. This paper presents the results to date of this investigation. Nomenclature" (Author's abstract)
Author(s) : Leimkuehler, Thomas O.; Hansen, Scott; Stephan, Ryan A., [Johnson Space Center]
Publication Date: 2010
Category(s) : Bases, industry and manufacturing / Power / Thermal
Web URL : http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20100017225
If this link is broken, please Add Comment below.
We try to keep author contact details, and a backup copy in our offline library.
PERMANENT code(s) : L,U
(Explanation of the
last 3 rows above)
In the row above, there are up to 4 possibilities:
U = URL you can click on to get a copy instantly from another source on the internet, or request it from that source
D = Downloadable from PERMANENT (such as because no other URL known...)
L = LAN copy, PERMANENT has a digital copy but not downloadable from our website
P = Paper copy in the PERMANENT office
Typically, only 0 to 3 methods are available.
NTRS : 20100017225
Other Ref # : JSC-CN-20280
Submitted by : MEP
Comments: Please add your thoughtful Comments to this paper after reading it.
All comments are reviewed and approved before being posted publicly below.
If you wish to submit a private comment to the curator, instead of a public comment, just write "Private" at the start of your comment.
Corrections and suggested additions to our records are appreciated.
  Add Comment 
Add Comment     Green is public,     Pink is private.
Screen Name: Either real name or anonymous alias are OK.
Real Name and
optional info:

Please provide at least your real name, and optionally additional information.
Email Address: We keep your email address private.
Date - Time Sorry, just click on the field, then on the popup calendar click "Now" then "Done".
Your Comment: (if private to curator, then just start with "Private:" or something like that.)