Experimental investigation on the heat transfer performance of a flat parallel flow heat pipe

Based on normal structure of the gravity heat pipe, a novel flat parallel flow heat pipe (FPFHP) is proposed which a new type of wickless heat pipe is connected to each other by two horizontal tubes at the bottom of the evaporation section and the top of the condensation section. A test rig was set up, and the contrast tests investigated the influences of heating power, inclination angle, inner diameter and working fluid on the heat transfer performance of FPFHP. Experimental results showed that the heat transfer performance of FPFHP could be enhanced at relatively large inclinations. The thermal resistance of FPFHP could reduce with the increase of heating power. The FPFHP had better heat transfer performance when charged with acetone at low heating power, while ethanol was preferred at high heating power. The FPFHP with 2mm inner diameter had better heat transfer performance at low heating power, while the FPFHP with 6mm inner diameter performed better at high heating power. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The novel flat parallel flow heat pipe (FPFHP) proposed in this study showed improved heat transfer performance at relatively large inclinations and the thermal resistance decreased with increasing heating power. Acetone was found to enhance heat transfer performance at low heating power, while ethanol was preferred at high heating power in the FPFHP. Additionally, the FPFHP with a 2mm inner diameter exhibited better heat transfer performance at low heating power, while the 6mm inner diameter FPFHP performed better at high heating power.