Experimental study on dynamic behavior of mechanically pumped two-phase loop with a novel accumulator in simulated space environment

Mechanically pumped two-phase loop (MPTL) which is a prominent two-phase heat transfer technology presents a promising prospect in thermal control for space payload. However, transient behavior of MPTL caused by phase-change and heat sources load-on/off in simulated space environment is rarely reported. In the present study, one MPTL setup was designed and constructed, and experimentally studied. Particularly, a novel two-phase thermally-controlled accumulator integrated with passive cooling measure and three capillary structures was designed as the temperature-control device. Dynamic behavior of the start-up, temperature control, and temperature adjustment were monitored; meanwhile, thermodynamic behavior within the proposed accumulator, the operating behavior as well as the heat and mass transfer behavior between the main loop and the accumulator were revealed. The results show that the fluid management function of the capillary structures for the novel accumulator is verified. The working point of the MPTL system can be adjusted by changing the temperature control point of the accumulator and it is little influenced by external heat flux and heat sources on/off. Pressure-drop oscillations which are manifested as fluctuations of temperature and pressure can be observed after phase changing due to the compressible volume within the accumulator and the negative-slope portion of the internal pressure.