고온 소듐 루프 히트파이프 설계 및 보조계통 시운전

초록

High-temperature heat transport is a key challenge in advanced energy systems such as heat pipe–cooled microreactors. Conventional cylindrical heat pipes have limitations in scalability and geometric flexibility because the wick extends along the entire pipe. In contrast, loop heat pipes confine the wick to the evaporator, separating liquid and vapor flow paths and enabling greater design flexibility and longer heat transport distances. This study describes the design, fabrication, and commissioning of a high-temperature sodium loop heat pipe for microreactor applications. A design code adapted from a conventional sodium heat pipe model was used to evaluate operating limits and optimize the configuration. The prototype was designed for a 1 kW heat load with a minimal sodium inventory of ~0.20 kg. Shakedown testing confirmed proper operation of auxiliary systems and established stable startup procedures, providing a basis for future quantitative performance evaluation of the loop heat pipe.

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