A numerical study on the heat and mass transfer of a micro heat pipe with a phase-change interface analysis

Abstract

A numerical study was conducted to analyze the heat and mass transfer in a micro heat pipe, with the thin-film theory applied to the phase change at the liquid-vapor interface. The model described the liquid and vapor distributions, phase change rate, wall temperature, pressure drop, and heat transfer rate in a micro heat pipe under normal operation. The reference cross-sectional geometry of the micro heat pipe was triangular, but the model could be applied to various geometries by utilizing a hydraulic diameter. In previous studies, to predict the thermal performance of a micro heat pipe, the phase change interface has usually been modeled using the Young-Laplace capillary equation, and the phase-change ratio has been estimated using terms such as vapor pressure, liquid pressure, and capillary pressure. In this study, a thermal numerical model for a micro heat pipe was developed using an augmented Young-Laplace equation. Consequently, terms that have been commonly excluded in previous studies, including the disjoining pressure, were included. The validity of the model was verified using the experimental results for the wall temperature of the micro heat pipe, wherein the relative error bound was less than 1 °C and 6 °C for the operating and condenser temperatures, respectively. The influence of the disjoining pressure on the heat transfer was analyzed and discussed for various operating temperatures and tilt angles.