Large Format Ceramic Oscillating Heat Pipes

In response to NASA FY 2025 SBIR solicitation topic Z-ENABLE.01 “Enabling Power and Thermal Technologies”, scope “Advance Thermal Transport Technologies for Space Missions”, sub-system “Power Conversion System (PCS) Heat Transport” -- ThermAvant Technologies (TAT) proposes a ceramic oscillating heat pipe (OHP) solution to address two subcomponents: “Reactor to the power conversion system” and “Advanced Heat Exchangers at power conversion system interface”. High temperature heat acquisition and transport is a critical technology gap inhibiting implementation of nuclear energy propulsion (NEP). The development priority is reflected in the STMD 2024 Civil Space Shortfall report, with ID 709: Nuclear Electric Propulsion for Human Exploration at rank 8 of 187 technology areas. NEP requires the acquisition of MW-levels of heat at 1000-1400K from the reactor core, and transport to the power conversion system with temperature drop <150K. Alkali metal heat pipes 3-5 meters long are required. TAT has active NASA funding for development of metallic OHPs for this application and recently demonstrated the first known 3-meter heat pipe operating > 1000K (with SS316 envelope). There is potential to significantly improve reactor designs if large format neutron transparent envelopes (e.g. alumina) are manufacturable and reliable. Target markets: space and terrestrial nuclear heat pipe reactors ThermAvant Technologies (TAT) proposes a ceramic oscillating heat pipe (OHP) solution to address two subcomponents: “Reactor to the power conversion system” and “Advanced Heat Exchangers at power conversion system interface”. High temperature heat acquisition and transport is a critical technology gap inhibiting implementation of nuclear energy propulsion (NEP) for Mars transit vehicles, deep space habitats and crewed vehicles. NEP requires the acquisition of MW-levels of heat at 1000-1400K from the reactor core, and transport to the power conversion system with temperature drop <150K. Alkali metal heat pipes 3-5 meters long are required. There is potential to significantly improve reactor designs if large format neutron transparent envelopes (e.g. alumina) are manufacturable and reliable.

Mars transit vehicles, deep space habitats and crewed vehicles, i.e. Orion, Gateway, and HLS. Fission surface power. DoD NEP. Terrestrial nuclear.

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