Development of a computational tool for simulation of heat pipes thermal performance

Abstract

This research proposal for REU is part of a series of projects involving heat transfer with phase change in compact heat exchangers, currently being developed by the Heat and Mass Transfer Group of Mechanical Engineering Department from EESC-USP. Heat pipes are passive devices operating with phase change and have received great attention in compact heat exchanger for its ability to transfer heat with high efficiency and low operational costs. Thus, this research proposal aims to develop a computational tool to evaluate the thermal performance of different types of heat pipes that can be used in compact heat exchangers. Among the parameters evaluated there are the total thermal resistance and the operational limits curves of the heat pipes. The calculation of these parameters is based on an extensive literature review of the state of the art of thermal performance of heat pipes, which will provide the models to be implemented on the tool. The characteristics of geometry, tube material and fluid are used as input data which will characterize the modeled heat pipes. This tool will allow the evaluation of applications for which heat pipes are recommended, it will also assist the validation of new models and correlations proposed in the literature and serve as a source of reference models for calculating thermal performance of heat pipes.