Simulation and experiment on thermal performance of a micro-channel heat pipe under different evaporator temperatures and tilt angles

Abstract

For a solar collector with a heat pipe, the tilt angle is an important factor which has a direct impact on the orientation (surface azimuth angle) and affects the amount of solar radiation reaching the surface of the collector. The performance of the microchannel heat pipe (MCHP), as a highly efficient heat transfer device, can be influenced by gravity and two-phase flow pattern. The relationship between the performance of the MCHP and the tilt angles is nonlinear. In this paper, the effect of the evaporator temperature and tilt angle on the thermal performance of the MCHP, especially the temperature distribution along the heat pipe wall and the effective thermal conductivity, will be investigated. An experimental study with different evaporator temperatures and tilt angles is carried out. Additionally, thermal characteristics of the MCHP have been simulated and verified by the experimental results. In addition, the temperature distribution along the MCHP and the effective thermal conductivity for different working conditions have been performed. These results would provide many references for the solar collector with MCHP system design, optimization, and installation.