Game Changing Development
Phase Change Material (PCM) Heat Exchanger Development
Project Introduction
The primary focus of the project is to provide future space vehicles a reliable form of long duration supplemental heat rejection (SHREDs). SHREDs allow a vehicle to reject waste energy when nominal means do not allow so. The project is investigating, through partnerships with UTC Aerospace and Mezzo Technologies, the use of wax and water based PCM HX. The project will culminate with a technology demonstration on ISS.
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Anticipated Benefits
NASA funded: The project has identified two PCM HX concepts that have paths for possible infusion to future vehicles such as Orion. The project includes development and an eventual technology demonstration on the International Space Station (ISS). The first heat exchanger is wax-based and has reached a TRL of 4. The project will build a wax-based PCM HX in partnership with UTC Aerospace for flight demonstration on ISS. Testing a wax-based PCM HX in a relevant environment will allow an "off the shelf" option for future vehicles, such as Orion, that require long duration supplemental heat rejection.
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Project Closeout – Executive Summary
The wax PCM achieved TRL5 after completing testing on the ISS in a relevant environment. However, the wax PCM did not meet its threshold value for the mass fraction Key Performance Parameter. The water PCM achieved TRL4 after completing testing in the lab.
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Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
Johnson Space Center
(JSC)
|
Lead Organization | NASA Center | Houston, TX |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
Connecticut
-
Louisiana
-
Texas
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Organizational Responsibility
Responsible Mission Directorate:
- Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)
Lead Center / Facility:
- Johnson Space Center (JSC)
Responsible Program:
- Game Changing Development
Project Management
Project Duration
Start: Oct 2013
End: May 2017
Technology Maturity (TRL)
| Start: | 3 |
| Current: | 5 |
| Estimated End: | 5 |
Applied Research
Development
Demo & Test
Technology Areas
Primary:
- TA 14 Thermal Management Systems
- TA 14.2 Thermal Control Systems
- TA 14.2.3 Heat Rejection and Energy Storage
Target Destinations
The Moon, Mars