TPCS - Two-Phase Capillary Systems

Status

Internal simulation toolkit, not available for sale, only for consultancy and project development

Applications

Simulation of Loop Heat Pipes (LHP) and Capillary Pumped Loops (CPL) in two phases

  • Transient simulation of two-phase capillary pumped systems.
  • Simulation of single or multi evaporator loops
  • Reverse flow and transitions between flooded, two-phase, dry-out and standby conditions

Description

TPCS, which stands for Two-Phase Capillary Systems, is an EcosimPro toolkit for the simulation of Loop Heat Pipes (LHP) and Capillary Pumped Loops (CPL). The operating principle of a TPCS heat transfer device is based on the evaporation and condensation of a working fluid, which uses the capillary pumping forces to ensure the fluid circulation.
TPCS image1
Models using TPCS toolkit calculates the transient response of a thermo-fluid system in correspondence with the boundaries and geometry defined in the model. Steady conditions can be calculated after a transient simulation under constant boundary conditions. On the other hand, sensitivity studies of geometry and design parameters can be easily done using the EcosimPro Monitor tool.

The TPCS toolkit provides a large palette of components (represented by icons) to be inserted (drag and drop) in a model. There is no limitation concerning the system topology to be modelled; on the contrary, building a model is easily done by inserting the respective components as they are integrated in a real system.
TPCS image2
Features
The main characteristics of TPCS toolkit are:

  • The working fluid(s) can be easily selected from a large collection of fluids included in the FLUID_PROP library
  • Complete model of evaporator devices accounting for capillary pumping effects
  • Calculation of concentrated (valves) and distributed (1D pipes) pressure losses accounting for two-phase wall friction correlations
  • Reverse flow, inertia, gravity and capillary forces are also considered
  • Heat transfer calculation between the walls (pipes and tanks) and the fluid
  • Multiple thermo-hydraulic correlations and initialization options included
  • Pump components provided with user-defined or generalized performance maps
  • Reservoir, flow splitters and collector models are available, including liquid level calculation

TPCS toolkit simulates fluid networks and equipment improving the numerical schemes classically used in other codes, dealing in particular with 1D pipe wall friction and two-phase flow at porous media.

TPCS components have been validated against test results under liquid, gas or two-phase conditions depending on the current P/T conditions of the working fluid, the fluid phase being determined by the code.

Complex topologies of loop heat pipes with one or more evaporator and/or pumping systems, where the heat transfer and the system controls are coupled, can be evaluated with this library just by linking graphically the concerned components in a particular system model.

Typical LHP applications are: Space applications, Avionics cooling, Airplane anti-icing system for the engine cowl using waste semiconductor engine heat, etc.

Multi-evaporator, multi-condenser design (MER-LHP)

The image below shows a multi-evaporator, multi-condenser design (MER-LHP) developed by Iberespacio. MER-LHP was developed as a demonstrator of the multi-evaporator and multi-condenser concept, enabling high flexibility in terms of heat collection at different sources and at different heat load levels due to its multi-evaporator architecture. The capability of adding several condensers allows to create enhanced radiator layouts in typical configuration such as North/South and East/West, shared within the same system.
TPCS MER LHP image1
The following plot shows an example of test results obtained for a standard performance case on the previous system:
TPCS MER LHP image2
The TPCS/EcosimPro model representative of the previous hardware system is depicted below:
TPCS MER LHP image3
The results obtained using the TPCS thermal model match those obtained during hardware test campaign:
TPCS MER LHP image4
An example of last power step correlation and some system temperatures are presented in next table:
TPCS MER LHP image5
Thermal model results are stable and the different steady state scenarios are reached. Steady state temperatures correspond to those obtained from hardware with minor error. Evaporators’ temperatures vary between 37°C to 57°C for the power sequence whereas the remote compensation chamber is maintained around 40°C.