Laboratory Experiments on Passive Thermal Control of Space Habitats Using Phase-Change Materials
Here, we investigate the performance of phase-change materials (PCMs) in the passive thermal control of space habitats. PCMs are able to absorb and release large amounts energy in the form of latent heat during their (typically, solid-to-liquid) phase transition, which makes them an ideal choice for...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-10-01
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| Series: | Thermo |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7264/4/4/25 |
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| author | Claudia Ongil Úrsula Martínez Pablo Salgado Sánchez Andriy Borshchak Kachalov Jose Miguel Ezquerro Karl Olfe |
| author_facet | Claudia Ongil Úrsula Martínez Pablo Salgado Sánchez Andriy Borshchak Kachalov Jose Miguel Ezquerro Karl Olfe |
| author_sort | Claudia Ongil |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Here, we investigate the performance of phase-change materials (PCMs) in the passive thermal control of space habitats. PCMs are able to absorb and release large amounts energy in the form of latent heat during their (typically, solid-to-liquid) phase transition, which makes them an ideal choice for passive temperature control. In this study, a conceptual design of an igloo-shaped habitat is proposed. A scaled model for laboratory experiments is manufactured via 3D printing, using tap water as the PCM. The setup is used to conduct experiments and analyze PCM performance, based on temperature measurements inside and outside the habitat. Results demonstrate the effectiveness of PCMs in increasing thermal inertia and stabilizing the habitat interior temperature around the melting temperature, confirming that PCMs can be a suitable alternative for passive thermal control. The present study holds significant interest for the future of space exploration, with the emerging need to design habitats that are capable of accommodating astronauts. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-05927b7d4b78431cb0d484323fef3db9 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2673-7264 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Thermo |
| spelling | doaj-art-05927b7d4b78431cb0d484323fef3db92025-08-20T02:43:41ZengMDPI AGThermo2673-72642024-10-014446147410.3390/thermo4040025Laboratory Experiments on Passive Thermal Control of Space Habitats Using Phase-Change MaterialsClaudia Ongil0Úrsula Martínez1Pablo Salgado Sánchez2Andriy Borshchak Kachalov3Jose Miguel Ezquerro4Karl Olfe5E-USOC, Center for Computational Simulation, E. T. S. de Ingeniería Aeronáutica y del Espacio, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, SpainE-USOC, Center for Computational Simulation, E. T. S. de Ingeniería Aeronáutica y del Espacio, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, SpainE-USOC, Center for Computational Simulation, E. T. S. de Ingeniería Aeronáutica y del Espacio, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, SpainE-USOC, Center for Computational Simulation, E. T. S. de Ingeniería Aeronáutica y del Espacio, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, SpainE-USOC, Center for Computational Simulation, E. T. S. de Ingeniería Aeronáutica y del Espacio, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, SpainE-USOC, Center for Computational Simulation, E. T. S. de Ingeniería Aeronáutica y del Espacio, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, SpainHere, we investigate the performance of phase-change materials (PCMs) in the passive thermal control of space habitats. PCMs are able to absorb and release large amounts energy in the form of latent heat during their (typically, solid-to-liquid) phase transition, which makes them an ideal choice for passive temperature control. In this study, a conceptual design of an igloo-shaped habitat is proposed. A scaled model for laboratory experiments is manufactured via 3D printing, using tap water as the PCM. The setup is used to conduct experiments and analyze PCM performance, based on temperature measurements inside and outside the habitat. Results demonstrate the effectiveness of PCMs in increasing thermal inertia and stabilizing the habitat interior temperature around the melting temperature, confirming that PCMs can be a suitable alternative for passive thermal control. The present study holds significant interest for the future of space exploration, with the emerging need to design habitats that are capable of accommodating astronauts.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7264/4/4/25space habitatsphase-change materialsexperiments |
| spellingShingle | Claudia Ongil Úrsula Martínez Pablo Salgado Sánchez Andriy Borshchak Kachalov Jose Miguel Ezquerro Karl Olfe Laboratory Experiments on Passive Thermal Control of Space Habitats Using Phase-Change Materials Thermo space habitats phase-change materials experiments |
| title | Laboratory Experiments on Passive Thermal Control of Space Habitats Using Phase-Change Materials |
| title_full | Laboratory Experiments on Passive Thermal Control of Space Habitats Using Phase-Change Materials |
| title_fullStr | Laboratory Experiments on Passive Thermal Control of Space Habitats Using Phase-Change Materials |
| title_full_unstemmed | Laboratory Experiments on Passive Thermal Control of Space Habitats Using Phase-Change Materials |
| title_short | Laboratory Experiments on Passive Thermal Control of Space Habitats Using Phase-Change Materials |
| title_sort | laboratory experiments on passive thermal control of space habitats using phase change materials |
| topic | space habitats phase-change materials experiments |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7264/4/4/25 |
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