Abstract
In this study, steady-state analytical modeling of a loop heat pipe (LHP) equipped with a flat evaporator is presented to predict the temperatures and pressures at each important part of the LHP—evaporator, liquid reservoir (compensation chamber), vapor-transport tube, liquid-transport tube, and condenser. Additionally, this study primarily focuses on analysis of the evaporator—the only LHP component comprising a capillary structure. The liquid thin-film theory is considered to determine pressure and temperature values concerning the region adjacent to the liquid-vapor interface within the evaporator. The condensation-interface temperature is subsequently evaluated using the modified kinetic theory of gases. The present study introduces a novel method to estimate the liquid temperature at the condensation interface. Existence of relative freedom is assumed with regard to the condenser configuration, which is characterized by a simplified liquid–vapor interface. The results obtained in this study demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed steady-state analytical model with regard to the effect of design variables on LHP heat-transfer performance. To this end, the condenser length, porosity of its capillary structure, and drop in vapor temperature therein are considered as design variables. Overall, the LHP thermal performance is observed to be reasonably responsive to changes in design parameters.
Highlights
A loop heat pipe (LHP) shares with conventional heat pipes fundamental physics including phase change of a working fluid and capillary force
Typical of these may include the wick confined in the evaporator, inverted meniscus at the liquid-vapor interface, liquid reservoir embedded into the evaporator, separation of liquid and vapor lines, etc
Investigations have recently been performed concerning heat leakage from the capillary structure to the compensation chamber [18,19] along with development of a mathematical model [20] that quantifies the effect of cylindrical-evaporator length on thermal performance
Summary
A loop heat pipe (LHP) shares with conventional heat pipes fundamental physics including phase change of a working fluid and capillary force. Investigations have recently been performed concerning heat leakage from the capillary structure to the compensation chamber [18,19] along with development of a mathematical model [20] that quantifies the effect of cylindrical-evaporator length on thermal performance. Such models have demonstrated great utility in shedding light on the internal physical behavior of LHPs; they do not comprehensively describe the heat-transfer performance of the entire system.
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