A study of effect of microgravity on thermophysical and operational characteristics of heat pipes based on the results of a space experiment

The presented paper provides results of processing experimental data obtained in tests of axial heat pipes integrated into heat transfer elements under microgravity conditions during space experiment Fazoperekhod (Phase Transition) and when following up the space experiment in a bench-scale test. It describes the test objects and test setups for conducting the studies. The paper discusses typical curves of heat transfer ability and thermal resistance for heat pipes under various conditions of heat delivery to the evaporative zone and removal from the condensation zone. Determined through comparing processed results of ground and flight tests were the effects of microgravity on thermal and operational properties of the heat pipes. The paper discusses techniques for processing materials obtained in the space experiment and techniques used for avoiding heat losses through thermal insulation of the heat transfer element during bench-scale tests, makes proposals on further use of scientific results obtained in the space experiment.