A New Thermochemical Material And Reactor For Space Systems

The application of chemical heat pump technologies in space systems is linked to the improvement in performance of its reactor. Currently two problems limit the performance: (1) the achievement of a higher thermal conductivity in the fixed bed, accompanied by an adequate permeability and (2) the intensification of the wall-particles heat transfer. The project proposes an original solution which allows resolving at the same time these two problems by using a new thermo-chemical material. This material is based on a new type of Carbon fibers, of small dimensions (nano-fibers). These fibers exhibit a different anisotropic thermal conductivity than that of industrial Carbon fibers and have a higher effective thermal conductivity in the fixed bed of the reactor. The advantage of this material resides also in the possibility of increasing the wall heat transfer coefficient. A first thermochemical material based on Carbon nano-fibers and Nickel Chloride has been synthesized. The procedure for the fabrication of the material has been developed. A reactor, which allows exploiting the new qualities of the material, has also been conceived. Equally, the reactor permits to fine tune the overall important factors, which govern heat transfer. The reactor will serve as the basis for the conception of a new design for space application.