Development and tests of a loop heat pipe with several separate heat sources

Abstract

The paper presents the results of development and experimental investigations of ammonia loop heat pipe (LHP) intended for a simultaneous cooling of several heat sources dissipating a variable capacity. The LHP was equipped with two heat exchangers located on the liquid line and one heat exchanger on the vapor line, which were in thermal contact with some additional heat sources. The LHP evaporator was in thermal contact with the main, the most powerful heat source. It has been shown that at a nominal heat load of 120 W on the main heat source the total heat load on the additional heat sources located on the liquid line may reach 34 W. The maximum heat load on an additional heat source located on the vapor line, in the same conditions, was 9 W. It has also been shown that a thermal action on the liquid line has a considerable effect on the temperature of the main heat source, whereas a thermal action on the vapor line does not influence it.