Heat Pipes - Proven Versatility In Heat Transport

CIM Bulletin, Vol. 71, No. 796, 1978

M. L. Joy, Heat Pipe Applications, McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Company, Huntington Beach, California

The heat pipe is a self-contained, passive structure that uses a liquid-vapour fluid cycle to provide high thermal conductance. Through the proper selection of working fluids and container materials, heat pipes have been operated at temperatures ranging from less than —300°F to more than 3,000°F. The passive nature, high efficiency and configuration flexibility of the heat pipe are presented. The application of McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Company Cryo-Anchor® heat pipes for foundation and support stabilization in permafrost regions is discussed. Using the proven Cryo-Anchor technology base, a proposed application of heat pipes in a cold-region mine ventilation system heat recovery heat exchanger is presented. Information obtained from the development of an air-cooled heat pipe steam condenser provides the technical basis for large-scale heat pipe applications.

Mots Clés: Mechanical-electrical, Heat pipes, Thermal conductance, Cryo-Anchor®, Foundation work, Support stabilization, Permafrost, Mine ventilation.