Effect of Al2O3 and TiO2 nano-coated wick on the thermal performance of heat pipe

A heat pipe is a passive two-phase heat exchanger technology, as a capillary-driven structure that allows heat transport by maintaining temperature difference. Heat pipe performance can be determined from the value of heat resistance, and nanoparticle can be applied to increase heat pipe performance. This research uses Al2O3 and TiO2 as a coating material for the heat pipe. The methods used in this research were by giving the heat pipe a nano-coating treatment using the electrophoretic deposition process and doing a pool boiling experiment by giving the heat pipe some heat loads. The main data of this research are temperature and bubble growth data. Based on the result of the research, the use of nanoparticles can improve heat pipe performance. The temperature difference between the evaporator and condenser area was calculated 2.38 degrees C on Al2O3 coating and 3.92 degrees C on TiO2 coating. Al2O3 nanoparticle coating was able to provide a heat transfer coefficient 480% superior to sample without nanoparticle coating, and 174% better than TiO2 nanoparticle coating.

Automated summary

Nanoparticles can improve the performance of heat pipes by increasing the heat transfer coefficient. The use of Al2O3 and TiO2 as coating materials showed significant differences in performance, with Al2O3 nanoparticle coating outperforming TiO2 nanoparticle coating.