Theoretical study of oscillatory phenomena in a horizontal closed-loop pulsating heat pipe with asymmetrical arrayed minichannel

Abstract

"This study develops an analytical model applicable for predicting the oscillatory motion of a pulsating heat pipe (PHP) with asymmetrical arrayed minichannel configuration. The analytic model takes into account the temperature difference between the average evaporating region and the average condensing region as the thermally driven force for the oscillatory motion. It is found that the dominant parameters affecting the PHP include configurations and dimensions of the flow channel, the number of turns, the filled liquid ratio, the frequency ratio, the operating temperature, and the temperature difference between the average evaporating region and the average condensing region are investigated in this study. The calculated results show that the closed-loop pulsating heat pipe with asymmetrical arrayed minichannel under lower number of turns, lower filled liquid ratio, higher operating temperature and higher temperature difference between the average evaporating region and the average condensing region for the frequency ratio of unity could attain a better performance of the oscillatory motions. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved."