Evaluation of a Reverse Brayton Cycle Heat Pump for Lunar Base Cooling University of Arizona

Format:

Conference/Event

Author/Creator:

Sridhar, K. R., author.

Conference Name:

International Conference On Environmental Systems (1994-06-20 : Friedrichshafen, Germany)

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Place of Publication:

Warrendale, PA SAE International 1994

Summary:

This paper explores the possibilities of cooling a permanently inhabited lunar base with a reverse Brayton cycle Thermal Control System (TCS). Based on an initial stage outpost, the cooling needs are defined. A thermodynamic performance model for the Brayton cycle is derived using ideal gas analysis. This model includes inefficiencies and irreversibilities of the components. The free parameters in the thermodynamic model are successively removed using limiting values for efficiencies and determining operating parameters by suboptimizations. In essence a model for cooling efficiency as a function of rejection temperature alone is obtained. For every component of the system a mass model is applied and the overall mass is determined. The last remaining degree of freedom, the rejection temperature, is eliminated by an optimization for lowest overall mass. The result for minimal TCS mass is compared to a reference TCS using a Rankine cycle. It is found that the Brayton cycle is not competitive with the Rankine TCS

Notes:

Vendor supplied data

Publisher Number:

941271

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license