Experimental and Numerical Analysis of Low-Temperature Heat Pipes With Multiple Heat Sources

Abstract

A numerical analysis and experimental verification of the effects of heat load distribution on the vapor temperature, wall temperature, and the heat transport capacity for heat pipes with multiple heat sources is presented. A numerical solution of the elliptic conjugate mass, momentum and energy equations in conjunction with the thermodynamic equilibrium relations and appropriate boundary conditions for the vapor region, wick structure, and the heat pipe wall are given. The experimental testing of a copper-water heat pipe with multiple heat sources was also made showing excellent agreement with the numerical results. An optimization of the heat distribution for such heat pipes was performed and it was concluded that by redistribution of the heat load, the heat capacity can be increased.