Modelling of Heat Transfer in the Evaporator and Condenser of the Working Fluid in the Heat Pipe

The aim of this paper is to point out possible solutions to the further development of heat pipes by numerical modelling of phase-change heat transfer. Numerical modelling has now become a standard method that helps to reduce the economic costs of research and development of new and innovative devices. The article describes the procedures for using numerical simulation in phase-change heat transfer that occurs due to evaporation and condensation of the working fluid. The suggested procedure enables modelling of gravitational heat pipe under different changes in its geometry or under changes in the working fluid. From the simulation results we can find out how the heat pipe behaves under different geometric changes and how much heat output it transfers. The paper presents results obtained from modelling of heat pipes, such as classical gravitational heat pipe, heat pipe with capillary geometry, and closed loop pulsating heat pipe. The results gathered from numerical simulation of heat pipes were compared with measurement results.