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Methane-filled heat pipes have been developed and qualified for the SCIAMACHY thermal bus assembly. The heat pipes provide an efficient heat transfer in the temperature range 100-160 K. Extensive qualification testing has been performed. The thermal bus assembly is part of the Thermal Bus Unit (TBU) of the SCIAMACHY Radiant Cooler.

This paper describes the development, manufacturing and testing of an advanced heat pipe profile possessing separated arteries and small radial grooves for condensate transportation. The objective of the development was to design a heat pipe with improved heat transport capability limited by an outer cross-section of 15 mm square. The concept of the new heat pipe is based on an aluminium extrusion profile with rectangular outer shape. The central vapour core of 9.2 mm diameter is connected via small connection slots with four individual liquid channels located in the corner areas of the profile. So the liquid flow in the four channels is decoupled from vapour flow, both streaming in opposite directions. Decreasing of the pressure drop in the liquid channels and decreasing the entrainment of liquid flow to the vapour flow resulted in improved heat transport capability.