MATERIALS RESEARCH FOR HEAT TRANSFER FLUIDS
Abstract
Liquid metals have certain properties that make them candidates for heat transfer use in aerospace systems. The objective of the investigation was to determine the magnitude of the heat transfer coefficient of condensation for sodium. Design factors and program organization are discussed, and a description of the equipment is presented. The heat transfer experiments were conducted in a closed boiler system, in which the sodium was boiled in the lower region and condensed upon an instrumented surface in the upper region. Operational techniques and history are discussed, including the massive, premature failure of the condensing section. The 1700F sodium leaked into the 500F cooling air passage and generated a considerable amount of dense smoke before complete shut-down of the equipment. Only three data points were obtained. The heat transfer coefficients for condensing sodium ranged from 79.8 to 473.6 Btu/hr-sq. ft - deg F for heat fluxes of 7,683 to 24,083 Btu/hr-sq. ft. A sample calculation is presented. The boiler material showed satisfactory corrosion resistance to sodium but not to the sodium and air reaction. Differential thermal expansion apparently loosened the special surface thermocouples, allowing the sodium to leak into the coolant passage.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0629960
Entities
People
- Karl R. Mecklenburg
Organizations
- MRIGlobal