Radiator Manifold System
Fluid Distribution Manifold for Radiator Panel Array
A radiator manifold system is a network of stainless steel 316L piping, titanium isolation valves, and Inconel flex joints that distributes ammonia thermal fluid across parallel radiator panels to maintain balanced heat rejection. On the Moon, these assemblies must absorb continuous thermal expansion during day-night cycling while maintaining hermetic integrity via vacuum-brazed joints exposed to hard vacuum. The manifold routing must also mitigate micrometeorite impact risks that threaten catastrophic coolant loss, employ balancing orifices to equalize flow across uneven branch lengths, and resist ammonia corrosion over a 100-year operating lifespan.
Manifold distributing thermal fluid to individual radiator panels and managing flow balance
Purpose
Ensure uniform flow distribution across all radiator panels for optimal heat rejection
Context
Child of L2-TCS-RAD in the Active Thermal Control System
Principles
- ▸Manifold header sizing ensures equal flow distribution to parallel radiator channels
- ▸Isolation valves allow individual panel bypass for maintenance or failure isolation
- ▸Flow balancing orifices compensate for varying line lengths in manifold branches
Typical implementations
- ▸ISS EATCS manifold and flow control valve assembly
- ▸Satellite propulsion manifold designs adapted for thermal
- ▸Industrial HVAC manifold balancing systems
Lunar considerations
- ▸Vacuum brazing of manifold joints provides hermetic sealing for ammonia fluid
- ▸Micrometeorite impact on manifold could cause catastrophic fluid leak
- ▸Manifold material must resist ammonia corrosion for 100 years
- ▸Thermal expansion of manifold piping during day/night cycling
Specifications
Functional
| primary function | Manifold distributing thermal fluid to individual radiator panels and managing flow balance |
Physical
| materials | Stainless steel 316L manifold body, Titanium isolation valves, Inconel flex joints |
Interfaces
Provides
- Distributed thermal fluid flow to radiator panels
Requires
- Hot thermal fluid from pumped loop
Cite this entry
Lunar Ark Codex. "Radiator Manifold System" (L3-TCS-RAD-MANF). Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://lunarark.com/entry/L3-TCS-RAD-MANF
Licensed CC-BY-SA 4.0. You may reuse and adapt this entry with attribution, under the same licence.