Effect of evaporator curvature on the local non-equilibrium heat regulation in two-phase closed thermosyphon embankment in permafrost regions

Abstract

The evaporator curvature can affect the heat transfer performance of two-phase closed thermosyphons (TPCTs) in permafrost regions. To explore the working features and control performance of TPCTs with different evaporator curvatures, two types of TPCTs with horizontal and inclined evaporator were designed. Then, a series of scale embankment models were conducted to test the thermal and deformation performance of the two TPCTs, including a TPCT embankment with inclined evaporator, a TPCT embankment with horizontal evaporator, and a contrast embankment without TPCTs. The results show that the thermal regulation performance of the TPCT with horizontal evaporator is much better than that with inclined evaporator. The thermal regime difference caused by the vapour-liquid interface interaction occurs in the whole pipe domain above the liquid pool for the TPCT with inclined evaporator while it mainly exists in the condenser domain for the TPCT with horizontal evaporator. Meanwhile, the TPCT with horizontal evaporator can decrease the temperature gradient, and thus weaken the frost heave of the embankment. Consequently, the TPCT with horizontal evaporator is more appropriate to adjust the local non-equilibrium heat process in embankment. The findings of this study supply a scientific reference for the design of TPCTs embankment in permafrost regions.