High-temperature heat pipes are typically defined as heat pipes that operate between 400 and 1100°C. However, the fluid properties vary too much across this wide temperature range for any single fluid. Three fluids are typically used to cover this range; Cesium, Potassium, and Sodium. The operating range for each fluid is shown below:
- Cesium 300 to 600°C (572 to 1,112°F)
- Potassium 400 to 1000°C (752 to 1,832°F)
- Sodium 500 to 1100°C (932 to 2,012°F)
High Temp Heat Pipe Materials and Applications
High temp pipe materials of construction are typically Alloy 600 for Cesium, Potassium, and Sodium. ACT also manufactures a Haynes 230/Sodium heat pipe for extended operation near 1100°C because of the significantly higher creep strength. Austenitic stainless steels can be used for applications that are at the lower end of the temperature range.
Wing Leading Edge
Typical applications for high-temperature heat pipes include the following:
- Heat Engine Receivers (Steam, Stirling, Brayton, Rankine)
- Solar Thermal
- Heat exchangers
- Hypersonic wing leading edges
- Waste heat recovery
- Nuclear power
- Thermoelectric Generators
- Isothermalizing furnace elements
How Are High-Temperature Heat Pipes Used?
High-temperature heat pipes can be used to build custom heat transfer devices for both high power throughput and precise temperature uniformity. Power throughput in the 1 to 100 kW range is typical. Precision heat treating and materials processing furnaces are capable of extraordinarily precise temperature set points and isothermality. Setpoint accuracy, stability, and isothermality of ± 0.1°C is common with a single heated zone, using an off-the-shelf temperature controller.
Because of the inherent temperature uniformity and stability of high temp heat pipes, they are an integral component in nearly all of the most precise temperature calibration instruments in the primary calibration laboratories around the world (See ACT’s Temperature Calibration and Control Products). This technology can also be applied to research, commercial, and industrial applications for processes such as annealing, sintering, crystal growing, brazing, and controlled diffusion.
ACT Can Meet Your High-Temperature Heat Pipe Requirements
ACT designs and manufactures cesium, potassium, and sodium heat pipe products for a wide range of high-temperature applications. We’ve been a leading provider of thermal management solutions since 2003 with a solid foundation built on research and development. You can count on us to provide a customized high temp heat pipe product that meets your company’s unique requirements. We’re also an AS9100:2009-certified manufacturer, so you can be sure your high temp heat pipe system will meet the highest quality standards in our industry.
ACT proudly serves the high temp heat pipe needs in the following markets:
- Material processing
- Solar
- Temperature calibration and control
Isothermal Furnace Liner
Waste Heat Recovery Panel
Material Processing Disk
ACT can handle every phase of your high temp heat pipe project from conception and design through production of a fully integrated thermal management system. We can provide a cost-effective solution that is right for your company. Contact us today to learn more about our high-temperature pipes and related services.