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Foundation ::
Engineering Applications ::
GAP
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GAP
Groove Analysis Program, Version 1.0
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GAP 1.0 is a comprehensive computer program designed to carry out a detailed performance analysis of an axially grooved heat pipe. The program incorporates the properties of 24 working fluids used in many different applications--from sensor cooling at cryogenic conditions to thermal management of hypersonic vehicles at elevated temperatures. Its predictions have been shown to correlate very well with performance data from two space flight experiments.
As a heat pipe design tool, GAP 1.0 can predict the steady state heat transport capability of an axially grooved heat pipe having a specified groove geometry and working fluid. The "capillary limit" is determined by the numerical solution of the differential equation for momentum conservation with appropriate boundary conditions. This governing equation accounts for the hydrodynamic losses due to friction in liquid and vapor flows and due to the liquid/vapor shear interaction. Back-pumping in both 0-g and 1-g environments is accounted for in the boundary condition at the condenser end. Slug formation in 0-g and puddle flow in 1-g are also considered in the model.
At the user's option, the program will perform the analysis for various fluid inventories (undercharge, nominal charge, overcharge, or a fixed fluid charge) and heat pipe elevations. It will also calculate the minimum required heat pipe wall thickness for pressure containment at a specified temperature, that can be greater than the critical temperature of the working fluid. The analysis is limited to uniform heat addition and removal with single evaporator and condenser sections. Distributed heat loads, asymmetric heat loads, preferentially filled grooves, and drainage are not included in the present analysis.
GAP carries the NASA case number GSC-13631. It was originally released as part of the NASA COSMIC collection.
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