Numerical Simulation of the Thermal Performance of a Nanofluid-Filled Heat Pipe

Abstract

Improving the working fluid transport properties is a way to enhance the thermal performance of heat transfer equipment. In this research work, a two-dimensional numerical simulation is used to investigate the thermal performance of a nanofluid-filled cylindrical heat pipe. The considered nanofluid is pure water as the base fluid with dispersed Al2O3 nanoparticles. Effects of particle volume fractions, particle diameters, various heat inputs, and wick structures on thermal performance of the heat pipe are investigated and the results are compared with that of the pure water. A comparison is made for the first time between the results of a simulation by considering fluid flow in the liquid-wick region and treating this region as pure conduction. The results show the heat pipe thermal performance enhancement and a decrease in thermal resistance for about 31% when 5% particle volume fraction with a particle diameter of 10 nm is used. Also, an insignificant effect of heat input on thermal resistance and variation of pressure distribution in the presence of nanoparticles are observed.