Temporal deterioration in thermal performance of screen mesh wick straight heat pipe using surfactant free aqueous nanofluids

Abstract

The study investigates the temporal performance of heat pipe using surfactant free Al2O3/De-ionised water nanofluids. The nanofluids prone to agglomeration and sedimentation with time are expected to influence the performance of heat pipe. Specially fabricated heat pipe is made to accommodate vapor velocity fluctuation through the vapor core and the end cap brazing effects. The heat pipe filled up to 40 % of the evaporator volume is tested at increasing volume concentration (0.005, 0.05, 0.5, 1 vol%) of Al2O3/De-ionised water nanofluid. The thermal performance of heat pipe is tested at three watt loads of heat input (12, 32, 72 W) and after successive durations (0, 3, 6, 9 months) from the date of manufacturing with non operational time span. The results are compared after successive time intervals and with deionised water as working fluid. Despite higher thermal performance of heat pipe observed using nanofluids as working fluids, consistency and reliability in heat pipe operating characteristics has been observed at high watt load heat input of 72 W as compared to low watt heat of 12 W. The thermal performance improvement of heat pipe using the nanofluid resulted due to nano-coating of Al2O3 nanoparticles on the mesh, resulting in localized high vapor pressure caused by the subsequent intermittent accelerated flow, reduction of contact angle and enhancement in boiling limit.