Chinese Space Science and Technology ›› 2025, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (1): 99-112.doi: 10.16708/j.cnki.1000-758X.2025.0010

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Review of two-phase loop technology for distributed multi-heat sources

BI Hanli,JIA Zhichao,LI Guoguang,WU Qi,LIU Chang,ZHANG Hongxing*,MIAO Jianyin   

  1. National Key Laboratory of Spacecraft Thermal Control, Beijing Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering, 
    Beijing 100094, China
  • Received:2023-10-08 Revision received:2023-12-05 Accepted:2023-12-30 Online:2025-01-23 Published:2025-02-01

Abstract: With the advancement of space technology, the integration level of spacecraft payloads continues to increase. Thermal control systems are required to collect and dissipate heat from distributed and multi-component sources to ensure temperature uniformity among devices. Additionally, as the functionality and performance of spacecraft payloads improve, it is necessary to advance the integrated thermal design of multiple heat payloads and platforms. Therefore, effective methods for heat collection, transfer, and dissipation tailored to distributed, multi-heat-source systems must be developed. This study begins by investigating the current research on three types of single-driven two-phase loops. Single-driven systems face challenges such as low quality limits, restrictions on the number of evaporators, and uneven flow distribution, making them inadequate for addressing the demands of multi-heat-source cooling. Subsequently, the research status of two dual-driven two-phase loop technologies for distributed multi-heat-source systems is reviewed, summarizing their technical advantages. Inspired by the heat transport and dissipation mechanisms in plants, where large trees achieve stable liquid supply and heat dissipation through the combined action of two driving forces, a dual-driven two-phase loop technology based on "osmotic pressure + capillary force" is proposed. Its advantages include enhancing the circulation driving force of the loop heat pipe through osmotic pressure, improving system stability, enabling self-adaptive flow regulation among multiple heat sources, and eliminating low quality limitations. Finally, the study provides a summary and recommendations for future research directions.

Key words: multiple heat sources, high heat flux, two-phase loop, space thermal control, double-drive