Thermal performance analysis of heat pipe receiver for solar dynamic space system

In order to reduce the mass and improve the thermal performance of the heat receiver, heat pipe receiver is used for the space solar dynamic power system. The corresponding mathematical and physical models are built, and a method for numerical solution is given by which the temperature of the containment canister outer wall, heat pipe wall temperature, working fluid exit temperature, liquid phase change material fraction of the total heat transfer tube are calculated and compared with those obtained from the baseline heat receiver. The results show it is possible to promote receiver performance and reduce the fluctuation of working fluid temperature and the weight of heat receiver.