Portable life support systems must be capable of performing thermal management in a wide variety of environments. Heat-actuated heat pumps may provide this flexibility, if they can be made small enough. Microchannel technologies represent a proven approach for reducing system volume and mass. The potential impact of adding a LiBr-H2O absorption cooler to increase the radiator temperature was considered. This study showed that such a heat pump can lift the radiator temperature from 15°C to 60°C with a coefficient of performance of 0.65 and that the radiator area can be reduced by up to 60%.
Revised: April 27, 2011 |
Published: March 15, 2006
Citation
Brooks K.P., and W.E. TeGrotenhuis. 2006.Radiator Performance Enhancement using a LiBr-H2O Absorption Cooler and Microchannel Technology: A Portable Life Support System Example. In 36th International Conference on Environmental Systems (ICES), July 17-20, 2006, Norfolk, VA, Paper No. 2006-01-2267. Warrendale, Pennsylvania:SAE International.PNNL-SA-49024.doi:10.4271/2006-01-2267