Theses and Dissertations

Issuing Body

Mississippi State University

Advisor

Hwang, Joonsik

Committee Member

Knizley, Alta

Committee Member

Berry, Gentry N.

Date of Degree

12-13-2024

Original embargo terms

Worldwide

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Mechanical Engineering

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

James Worth Bagley College of Engineering

Department

Michael W. Hall School of Mechanical Engineering

Abstract

Efficient thermal management of spacecraft systems is crucial to overcome the extreme thermal conditions in space. Phase change materials (PCMs) offer significant advantages in thermal energy storage (TES) systems due to their high latent heat of fusion, the amount of energy stored or released during phase transitions. However, PCMs face limitations due to low thermal conductivity, especially in microgravity where heat transfer is primarily through conduction. This research addresses this issue by incorporating a 3D-printed aluminum lattice structure to enhance heat transfer to PCMs. Experimental data from sub-orbital flight tests and ground-based experiments, coupled with numerical simulations, are used to analyze the melting process of PCMs in microgravity and the effect on thermal performance of PCMs through the incorporation of high thermal conductivity lattice structure. The results provide a deeper understanding of heat transfer to PCM’s in microgravity, potentially enhancing the performance of TES systems utilizing PCM’s in space environments.

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