High Energy Advanced Thermal Storage (HEATS)
Abstract
The High Energy Advanced Thermal Storage (HEATS) program focused on the development of a high temperature latent heat thermal energy storage medium as the primary energy storage onboard a bi-modal solar thermal microsatellite. A bi-modal thermal bus capable of providing propulsive and electric power to a spacecraft was previously identied as a promising architecture for microsatellites requiring a substantial delta V. A review of existing technology showed that the use of high performance thermal energy storage is the enabling technology for such a bi-modal conguration and previous solar thermal studies have suggested the use of high temperature phase change materials (PCMs) such as silicon and boron. Prior to this program, developmental constraints and a lack of knowledge have prevented the inclusion of these materials in solar thermal designs and analysis has remained at the conceptual stage. The goal of the HEATS program was to experimentally investigate using silicon and boron as high temperature PCMs and determine overall technological feasibility. This report summarizes the key experimental findings of the program and identies extant practical concerns associated with using silicon as a PCM. Ultimately, the HEATS program concluded that implementing high temperature latent heat thermal energy storage is technologically feasible and, with proper implementation, the performance benets discussed in earlier conceptual studies are likely realizable.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 30, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1063579
Entities
People
- David B. Scharfe
- Marcus P. Young
- Matthew R. Gilpin
- Rebecca N. Webb
Organizations
- University of Southern California