variavel0=<b>Edson Bazzo</b> - ebazzo@emc.ufsc.br Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina
<b>Luciano Heinen</b> - heinen@cet.ufsc.br Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina
<b>Marcelo Nogoseke</b> - marcelo@cet.ufsc.br Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina
<b>Marcelo Natale Junkes</b> - marceloj@cet.ufsc.br Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina
<b>Roger R. Riehl</b> - rriehl@cet.ufsc.br Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina
<b>Abstract.</b> A thermal and structural analysis is performed for a capillary pumping system integrated to a micro satellite, in order to evaluate critical points associate to the performance, mechanical strength and eventual freezing of the working fluid. The experiment consists of a small two-phase heat transfer loop, consisting of one capillary evaporator, a condenser, vapor and liquid lines and one reservoir. A skin heater is installed to the reservoir to control the loop operation temperature. The capillary evaporator consists of a tubular porous sintered nickel powder inserted in a single aluminum tube. An absorber plate is integrated to the experiment in order to absorb solar energy as heat source. The analysis was performed using commercial codes. Particular codes were developed for thermal behavior analysis purpose only. Preliminary results are presented taking into account different parameters related to desired operation temperature and heat loads.
<b>Keywords.</b> capillary pump, capillary evaporator, CPL, two-phase heat transfer.