Method for thermal management through use of ammonium carbamate
First Claim
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1. A method for managing thermal loads comprising the steps of:
- providing an ammonium carbamate-based thermal management system comprising a flow controller, a primary heat exchanger coupled to the flow controller, a vacuum source coupled to the primary heat exchanger, and a pressure controller coupled to the primary heat exchanger and the vacuum source, wherein the primary heat exchanger comprises ammonium carbamate;
applying heat from a thermal load to the ammonium carbamate-based thermal management system, wherein heat from the thermal load is absorbed into a coolant fluid to provide a heated coolant fluid, wherein the heated coolant fluid is introduced into the primary heat exchanger using the flow controller, and wherein the thermal load is within a temperature range greater than or equal to about 20°
C. and less than or equal to about 100°
C.;
transferring heat from the heated coolant fluid to the ammonium carbamate, wherein the ammonium carbamate endothermically decomposes into ammonia gas and carbon dioxide gas;
adjusting an overhead pressure of the primary heat exchanger, a system temperature of the primary heat exchanger, or a coolant fluid flow rate to achieve a desired amount of heat transfer from the thermal load to the ammonium carbamate; and
removing the ammonia gas and the carbon dioxide gas from the ammonium carbamate-based thermal management system using the vacuum source, the vacuum source being controlled by the pressure controller.
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Abstract
Ammonium carbamate-based methods and systems for management of thermal loads, particularly low-quality, high-flux thermal loads. The increase in temperature in heat sensitive devices is mitigated by the endothermic decomposition of ammonium carbamate into carbon dioxide and ammonia gases. This process has an energy density an order of magnitude greater than conventional thermal management materials and is particularly useful for temperatures between 20° C. and 100° C. Systems incorporating ammonium carbamate may be controlled by regulating the fluid flow, overhead pressure, temperature, or combinations thereof.
53 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for managing thermal loads comprising the steps of:
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providing an ammonium carbamate-based thermal management system comprising a flow controller, a primary heat exchanger coupled to the flow controller, a vacuum source coupled to the primary heat exchanger, and a pressure controller coupled to the primary heat exchanger and the vacuum source, wherein the primary heat exchanger comprises ammonium carbamate; applying heat from a thermal load to the ammonium carbamate-based thermal management system, wherein heat from the thermal load is absorbed into a coolant fluid to provide a heated coolant fluid, wherein the heated coolant fluid is introduced into the primary heat exchanger using the flow controller, and wherein the thermal load is within a temperature range greater than or equal to about 20°
C. and less than or equal to about 100°
C.;transferring heat from the heated coolant fluid to the ammonium carbamate, wherein the ammonium carbamate endothermically decomposes into ammonia gas and carbon dioxide gas; adjusting an overhead pressure of the primary heat exchanger, a system temperature of the primary heat exchanger, or a coolant fluid flow rate to achieve a desired amount of heat transfer from the thermal load to the ammonium carbamate; and removing the ammonia gas and the carbon dioxide gas from the ammonium carbamate-based thermal management system using the vacuum source, the vacuum source being controlled by the pressure controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for managing heat transfer of a thermal load, comprising:
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providing an ammonium carbamate-based thermal management system comprising an ammonium carbamate-based heat exchanger comprising ammonium carbamate and a heat transfer fluid, wherein heat absorbed into the heat transfer fluid causes an endothermic decomposition of ammonium carbamate into ammonia gas and carbon dioxide gas; a circulation loop comprising a coolant fluid, wherein the circulation loop is fluidly coupled to the thermal load and the ammonium carbamate-based heat exchanger, and wherein the coolant fluid absorbs heat away from the thermal load and transfers heat to the ammonium carbamate-based heat exchanger; and a control system comprising a pressure controller coupled to the ammonium carbamate-based heat exchanger, wherein the pressure controller regulates pressure within the ammonium carbamate-based heat exchanger at a level less than atmospheric pressure, and facilitates transfer of the ammonia gas and carbon dioxide gas formed by the endothermic decomposition of ammonium carbamate out of the ammonium carbamate-based heat exchanger; a flow valve in the circulation loop to regulate a flow of the coolant fluid; and at least one temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the coolant fluid, wherein the control system is configured to control a rate of the endothermic decomposition of ammonium carbamate by controlling operation of the pressure controller, or the flow valve; absorbing heat generated at the thermal load into the coolant fluid, wherein the thermal load is selected from the group consisting of an electronic component, an avionic system, an antenna, a laser, a battery, and a fuel cell, and wherein a thermal load temperature is within a temperature range greater than or equal to about 20°
C. and less than or equal to about 100°
C.;transferring heat from the heated coolant fluid to the ammonium carbamate, wherein the ammonium carbamate endothermically decomposes into ammonia gas and carbon dioxide gas; adjusting an overhead pressure of the ammonium carbamate-based heat exchanger, a system temperature of the ammonium carbamate-based heat exchanger, or a coolant fluid flow rate to achieve a desired amount of heat transfer from the thermal load to the ammonium carbamate; and removing the ammonia gas and the carbon dioxide gas from the ammonium carbamate-based thermal management system using a vacuum source, the vacuum source being controlled by the pressure controller. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification