Heat Pump Condenser
Brazed Plate Condenser Heat Exchanger
The heat pump condenser is a brazed plate heat exchanger that transfers latent heat from a refrigerant to a primary ammonia loop for radiator rejection in an active thermal control system. Constructed from 316L stainless steel plates, copper brazing, and titanium header connections, the counter-flow design condenses and subcools the refrigerant into a liquid state. Operating on the Moon complicates this process: reduced gravity alters two-phase flow dynamics, requiring precise component orientation or managed flow to ensure proper condensation, while the brazed joints must withstand 100 years of thermal cycling without risking cross-contamination with the ammonia loop.
Condenser rejecting heat pump waste heat to the primary thermal rejection loop
Purpose
Transfer heat from refrigerant hot side to primary ammonia loop for radiator rejection
Context
Child of L2-TCS-HPMP in the Active Thermal Control System
Principles
- ▸Counter-flow plate heat exchanger maximizes heat transfer in compact volume
- ▸Condensation of refrigerant releases latent heat for efficient heat transfer
- ▸Subcooling section ensures fully liquid refrigerant exits condenser
- ▸Fouling factor margin accounts for long-term degradation of heat transfer surfaces
Typical implementations
- ▸Alfa Laval brazed plate heat exchangers for space applications
- ▸Swep compact brazed plate HX
- ▸ISS heat exchanger designs
Lunar considerations
- ▸Two-phase flow in reduced gravity requires careful condenser orientation or flow management
- ▸Brazed joint integrity must survive 100 years of thermal cycling
- ▸Must interface with ammonia primary loop without cross-contamination risk
Specifications
Functional
| primary function | Condenser rejecting heat pump waste heat to the primary thermal rejection loop |
Physical
| materials | 316L stainless steel plates, Copper brazing, Titanium header connections |
Interfaces
Provides
- Waste heat transferred to primary thermal loop
Requires
- Hot refrigerant gas from compressor discharge
Cite this entry
Lunar Ark Codex. "Heat Pump Condenser" (L3-TCS-HPMP-COND). Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://lunarark.com/entry/L3-TCS-HPMP-COND
Licensed CC-BY-SA 4.0. You may reuse and adapt this entry with attribution, under the same licence.