Thermal Characteristics of Conventional and Flat Miniature Axially Grooved Heat Pipes

Abstract

A detailed mathematical model of low-temperature axially grooved heat pipes (AGHP) is developed in which the fluid circulation is considered along with the heat and mass transfer processes during evaporation and condensation. The results obtained are compared to existing experimental data. Both capillary and boiling limitations are found to be important for the flat miniature copper-water heat pipe, which is capable of withstanding heat fluxes on the order of 40 W/cm2 applied to the evaporator wall in the vertical position. The influence of the geometry of the grooved surface on the maximum heat transfer capacity of the miniature AGHP is demonstrated.