Experimental investigation on start-up performance of the sulfur heat pipe

Abstract

Abstract The effects of thermal load 1662W and 3740W respectively, the maximum furnace temperature 450°C and 600°C on the starting characteristics of the sulfur heat pipe is studied by using sulfur as a working fluid. The experimental data show that when the maximum furnace temperature is fixed, increasing the heating power can reduce the starting time; if the heating load is constant, the temperature of the pipe wall increases with the rise of the maximum temperature of the furnace; when the sulfur heat pipe is stable, the thermal resistance reduces with the grow of heating power and the heat transfer performance is also greatly improved; the heating power is 3740W and the maximum furnace temperature is 600 °C, which is the best condition for starting the heat pipe.