Paraffin Phase Change Material for Maintaining Temperature Stability of IceCube Type of CubeSats in LEO | Zendy

Michael K. Choi | Zendy

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Paraffin Phase Change Material for Maintaining Temperature Stability of IceCube Type of CubeSats in LEO

Author(s) -

Michael K. Choi

Publication year - 2015

Publication title -

7th international energy conversion engineering conference

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Conference proceedings

DOI - 10.2514/6.2015-3984

Subject(s) - stability (learning theory) , phase (matter) , materials science , computer science , physics , quantum mechanics , machine learning

The MLA and IFA of the instrument on the IceCube require a 20 C temperature and a thermal stability of +/-1 C. The thermal environment of the ISS orbit for the IceCube is very unstable due to solar beta angles in the -75deg to +75deg range. Additionally the instrument is powered off in every eclipse to conserve electrical power. These two factors cause thermal instability to the MLA and IFA. This paper presents a thermal design of using mini paraffin PCM packs to meet the thermal requirements of these instrument components. With a 31 g mass plus a 30% margin of n-hexadecane, the MLA and IFA are powered on for 32.3 minutes in sunlight at a 0deg beta angle to melt the paraffin. The powered-on time increases to 38 minutes at a 75deg (+/-) beta angle. When the MLA and IFA are powered off, the paraffin freezes.

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