Review of vapor compression refrigeration in microgravity environments

Brendel, Leon P. M.; Caskey, Stephen L.; Ewert, Michael K.; Hengeveld, Derek W.; Braun, James E.; Groll, Eckhard A.

doi:10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2020.10.006

Cited by 16 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Vapour compression systems require a large amount of power for compressing the large volume of vapour refrigerants [4]. Apart from household use, the vapour compression system does not fit the space exploration and microgravity applications because of its low-efficiency performance [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modelling of pressure-induced magnetic and magnetocaloric effects in dissipative magnetic shape memory alloy systems

Kumar,

Haldar

2023

Proc. R. Soc. A.

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This article presents a coupled magneto-thermo-mechanical model of pressure-dependent magneto-caloric effect (MCE) and magnetization responses for polycrystalline magnetic shape memory alloys (MSMA). Coupled constitutive equations are derived from a Helmholtz free energy function in a consistent thermodynamic way. The hysteretic and dissipative characteristics of phase transformations in MSMAs are captured by the internal state variables approach with their evolution equations. A relation of adiabatic temperature change is established for such a dissipative material system. The model is calibrated and validated with the existing experimental data. The validated constitutive model is then exploited to predict MCEs at different pressure and magnetic field level. Some predicted results are compared with the available experimental data.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modelling of pressure-induced magnetic and magnetocaloric effects in dissipative magnetic shape memory alloy systems

Kumar,

Haldar

2023

Proc. R. Soc. A.

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“…Brendel et al [12] published a thorough review of VCC refrigeration in microgravity environments in 2021. This work encompassed not just heat pumps linked to satellites and satellite radiators, but covered an array of uses for refrigeration systems, such as food and medicine cooling for future human spaceflight missions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the Potential of Heat Pumps to Reduce the Radiator Size on Small Satellites

Bennett

Lim²

2023

Energies

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Future small satellites will demand high-performance on-board electronics, requiring sophisticated approaches to heat rejection beyond simply increasing the radiator surface area. An interesting alternative approach is to increase the surface temperature of the radiator, using a heat pump. In this study, calculations were carried out to compute the theoretical radiator size reduction potential enacted by having a heat pump as part of a satellite’s thermal management system. The practical likelihood of a ‘typical’ vapor compression cycle (VCC) heat pump satisfying theoretical requirements was considered. In agreement with theoretical calculations, employing a ‘typical’ VCC heat pump could either increase or decrease the required radiator surface area. The choice of heat pump and its design is therefore crucial. A heat pump with a large temperature lift is essential for satellite radiator cooling applications, with the coefficient of performance (COP) being less important. Even with a low COP, such as 2.4, a ‘typical’ heat pump providing a large temperature lift, close to 60 °C, could reduce the satellite’s radiator surface area by a factor close to 1.4. This is a significant potential reduction. The decision on whether to pursue this approach compared to alternatives, such as deployable radiators, should consider the relative complexity, cost, weight, size, reliability, etc., of the two options. The focus of this study is VCC heat pumps; however, the results provide performance targets for less mature heat pump technologies, e.g., caloric devices, which could ultimately be applied in space.

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“…The EU type of refrigeration devices include the Microgravity Experiment Research Locker Incubator (MERLIN, ISS) [8], General Laboratory Active Cryogenic ISS Experiment Refrigerator (GLACIER, ISS) [9], Refrigerator Storage Equipment (RSE, CSS) [10], etc., which are shown in Figure 1.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Frost-Preventing Design for Space Station Refrigerator

Guo,

Dou,

Zou

et al. 2023

Energies

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Different preservation temperatures for sample storage in space stations and corresponding refrigerator devices have been designed. In the below-freezing environment, frost will occur on the inner wall surface and the sealing place of the refrigerator device, which may have an impact on the operating performance and sealing performance of the refrigerator device. This paper analyzes the impact of frost on refrigerator storage devices, and designs and verifies a scheme of air cooling with a hollow seal method to reduce the impact of frost. The designed refrigerator was tested for air cooling, sealing, and long-term performance. The tests show that the air-cooling structure designed in this paper can effectively reduce the frost on the sample surface. A cumulative helium mass spectrometry leak detection method is applied to verify that the hollow seal structure designed has a better sealing property, which can prevent the diffusion of water vapor and frosting at the sealing position. The design with air cooling and hollow sealing has less frost and more stable performance for long-term operation. The results demonstrate this refrigerator would have the capability of operating on-orbit. The frost-preventing method for space station refrigerator designed in this paper has significance for the design of similar cryogenic equipment in microgravity environments.

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Review of vapor compression refrigeration in microgravity environments

Cited by 16 publications

References 17 publications

Modelling of pressure-induced magnetic and magnetocaloric effects in dissipative magnetic shape memory alloy systems

Modelling of pressure-induced magnetic and magnetocaloric effects in dissipative magnetic shape memory alloy systems

Assessing the Potential of Heat Pumps to Reduce the Radiator Size on Small Satellites

Frost-Preventing Design for Space Station Refrigerator

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