Flow patterns and heat-transfer characteristics of a top heat mode closed-loop oscillating heat pipe with check valves (THMCLOHP/CV)

Abstract

The aim of this research was to investigate the flow patterns and heat transfer of a top heat mode closed-loop oscillating heat pipe with check valves (THMCLOHP/CV). In this study, the heat pipe was made of a high-quality glass capillary tube with an inner diameter of 2.4 mm bent into 10 meandering turns. The number of check valves was 2 and the tube was filled with R141b at a filling ratio of 50% of internal volume of the tube. The combined lengths of the evaporator, adiabatic and condenser sections were equal to 50 mm. The pipe was operated at the top heat mode, and the angles of inclination were 20°, 40°, 60°, 80°, and 90°. The heat applied at the evaporator section was controlled at 85°Cto 105°C, and 125°C. The results show that in the evaporator section, bubbles are produced and grow as a result of the continuous nucleate boiling. They coalesced and their volume expanded. Similarly, in the condenser section the vapor plug condensate caused the bubbles to collapse and accumulate as a liquid mass at the lower section of the U-bend tube. A new slug then developed and the bubbles coalesced in an upward flow. Heat flux increased when the evaporator temperature and inclination angle increased causing the average length of the vapor plug to decrease and the average velocity of vapor plug to increase. The maximum heat flux occurred at an evaporator temperature of 125°C and an inclination angle of minus 90°.