Semester Thesis: Design and Analysis of a Cold Plate and Thermal Shroud for a Dirty Thermal-Vacuum Chamber
Abstract:
Experimental setups involving planetary regolith and thermal cycling demand precise thermal control in vacuum conditions. This work introduces a cold plate and thermal shroud system tailored for such conditions in a dusty thermal vacuum chamber at the Technical University of Munich. The design prioritizes compatibility with regolith-based experiments and passive thermal management to maximize available space for experiments while minimizing complexity and contamination risk.
The cold plate was evaluated for its ability to cool a regolith bed first using LN2 then using closed-loop circulation of HFE-7100, a non-conductive coolant. HFE-7100 was selected over liquid nitrogen for its operational flexibility and economical viability. Several cold plate configurations were evaluated, including embedded tube and vacuum brazed designs. Thermohydraulic analysis favored a dual-leg brazed plate geometry for its significantly lower pressure drop, though cost constraints led to the retention of the legacy plate for the current phase.
In parallel, a modular thermal shroud was developed using high-reflectivity 1000-series aluminum and PTFE insulation spacers. Through simulation of multiple configurations, a modified milti-layer design was selected to optimize radiative shielding while preserving experimental space. The design uses modular panel that are interchangeable in specific regions of the chamber. Then integration addressed mechanical constraints, fluid routing, and thermal decoupling strategies to ensure clean operation and future adaptability.
Together, these components form a robust thermal control system that enables repeated use in a contaminated vacuum environment, paving the way for accurate simulation of lunar surface conditions and supporting the upcoming Rover Permittivity Sensor campaign.