The Application of Heat Pipes on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline

The application of heat pipes on the Trans Alaska Pipeline is reviewed. The subjects addressed include the general functioning of a heat pipe, the specific heat pipe design used, the different situations where heat pipes were employed, the methods used to develop the heat pipe design, the methods used to monitor the operating heat pipes, and the performance of the heat pipes. The discussion is qualitative in nature. Quantitative information is largely omitted to allow coverage of a broad area, and because it may be considered proprietary. Nevertheless, the information presented here should give a good appreciation of the quality and complexity of the heat pipe design. The information should also be useful in developing heat pipes for use in other cold regions applications. Author