CREARE LLC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: N162-127

Description

Two-phase refrigerant pumped-loop systems are a promising approach to efficiently and effectively remove heat from high-power density electronics, sensors, and weapon systems of future warships. One of the key technical challenges of these new thermal systems is maintaining the flow stability and system reliability under the dynamic motion of a ship. To address these challenges, we propose to develop a refrigerant liquid-vapor phase separator whose performance is insensitive to roll and the dynamic motion of a ship. The innovative phase separator will help eliminate long two-phase flow transfer lines, enhance the condenser performance and prevent vapor from entering the refrigerant pump, and thus enhance the system reliability. The phase separator is much more compact and has a much lower total mass and refrigerant holdup than a conventional gravity-assisted phase separator. The proposed phase separator builds on Creares proven gravity-insensitive phase separator technology developed for aircraft vapor compression systems and spacecraft pumped-loop systems. In Phase I, Creare will design, build, and demonstrate a proof-of-concept phase separator. In Phase II, Creare will build and characterize a phase separator for a potential 100 kW two-phase pumped loop demonstrator and the deliver phase separator to the Navy for further performance characterization.