Heat transfer characteristics of a two-phase closed thermosyphon

The applications of closed two-phase thermosyphons are increasing in heat recovery systems in many industrial practices because of their high effectiveness. Various parameters affect the heat transfer performance of thermosyphons. In this paper, the effect of three parameters: input heat transfer rates (100 < Q < 900 W), the working fluid filling ratios (30% less than or equal to FR less than or equal to 90%), and the evaporator lengths (aspect ratios) were investigated experimentally. The aspect ratios for these experiments were 7.45, 9.8, and 11.8. A series of experiments were carried out to find the influence of the above parameters on steady-state heat transfer characteristics of a vertical two-phase closed thermosyphon. A smooth copper tube of total length of 980 mm with inside and outside diameters of 25 and 32 mm was employed with distilled water as working fluid. The temperature distribution along the thermosyphon was monitored; input heat to evaporator section and output heat from condenser were measured, as well. The experimental boiling heat transfer coefficients were compared with existing correlations. Conclusions have been drawn for the optimum-filling ratio at which the thermosyphon operates at its best for a certain aspect ratio. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.