The decoupling and synergy strategy to construct multiscales from nano to millimeter for heat pipe

Abstract

We decouple a heat pipe into capillary pressure, flow resistance, condensation heat transfer, and assign specific length scale to adapt each function. We verify the synergy of various length scales to activate various functions. The strategy guides multiscale design to realize an enhancement of capillary pressure, a well management of flow resistance and an ultra-thin liquid thickness on condenser surface. The porous wick consists of a particle sub-layer and 3D mastoid process array. The tips of mastoid process directly contact the condenser wall. Four vapor chambers are formed by sintering dm=73.8μm without oxidation (#1), with oxidation (#2), dm=556nm without oxidation (#3) and with oxidation (#4), respectively. Liquid suction and heat transfer experiments were performed. Four types of evaporator temperatures versus inclination angles were observed. Small difference is found between bottom and top heating modes. The multiscale wick influences the vapor–liquid phase distribution to cause the difference between side and other heating modes. The dm=73.8μm particle sintering with nano-roughness successfully balance various conflicts among capillary pressure, vapor–liquid interface area, flow resistance and liquid removal from the condenser surface. Nano-roughness increases the vapor–liquid interface area to have 3–4 times of evaporation heat transfer coefficients compared with smooth particle surface. Nano-roughness increases the wettability to capture liquid from condenser, having ∼18 times of condensation heat transfer coefficients to those without nano-roughness. The dm=556nm particle sintering and nano-roughness are the poor match for heat pipes. This paper gives a clue to construct multiscale wicks for heat pipes and ensures better performance at varied gravity such as micro-gravity environment.