Numerical Study of Thermal Performance of a Capillary Evaporator in a Loop Heat Pipe with Liquid-Saturated Wick

Heat transfer of a capillary evaporator in a loop heat pipe was analyzed through 3D numerical simulations to study the effects of the thermal conductivity of the wick, the contact area between the casing and the wick, and the subcooling in the compensation chamber (CC) on the thermal performance of the evaporator. A pore network model with a distribution of pore radii was used to simulate liquid flow in the porous structure of the wick. To obtain high accuracy, fine meshes were used at the boundaries among the casing, the wick, and the grooves. Distributions of temperature, pressure, and mass flow rate were compared for polytetra-fluoroethylene (PTFE) and stainless steel wicks. The thermal conductivity of the wick and the contact area between the casing and the wick significantly impacted thermal performance of the evaporator heat-transfer coefficient and the heat leak to the CC. The 3D analysis provided highly accurate values for the heat leak;in some cases, the heat leaks of PTFE and stainless steel wicks showed little differences. In general, the heat flux is concentrated at the boundaries between the casing, the wick, and the grooves;therefore, thermal performance can be optimized by increasing the length of the boundary.

Formula of Thermogradient Effect

Goal: Formulation of empiric formula, which establishes relations between major matrix parameters of ceramic materials and composites and the coefficient of resistance to material thermogradient. Method: Harcpurt’s method of cooling of water in boiling regime till disappearance of water. Results: It is proved that work-pieces reveal maximum thermal resistance and preservation of exploitation properties, when total closed porosity is within 2% - 8%, and pore sizes vary within 1 - 6 mcm. Besides, they are more or less of spherical form and are spread equally in the matrix. Conclusion: Thermogradient effect formula was defined for complex form work-pieces, when surfaces in the pieces are transacted several times by angles of various curvature radii.

Optimal Thermal Insulation Thickness in Isolated Air-Conditioned Buildings and Economic Analysis

The removal building heat load and electrical power consumption by air conditioning system are proportional to the outside conditions and solar radiation intensity. Building construction materials has substantial effects on the transmission heat through outer walls, ceiling and glazing windows. Good thermal isolation for buildings is important to reduce the transmitted heat and consumed power. The buildings models are constructed from common materials with 0 - 16 cm of thermal insulation thickness in the outer walls and ceilings, and double-layers glazing windows. The building heat loads were calculated for two types of walls and ceiling with and without thermal insulation. The cooling load temperature difference method, CLTD, was used to estimate the building heat load during a 24-hour each day throughout spring, summer, autumn and winter seasons. The annual cooling degree-day, CDD was used to estimate the optimal thermal insulation thickness and payback period with including the solar radiation effect on the outer walls surfaces. The average saved energy percentage in summer, spring, autumn and winter are 35.5%, 32.8%, 33.2% and 30.7% respectively, and average yearly saved energy is about of 33.5%. The optimal thermal insulation thickness was obtained between 7 - 12 cm and payback period of 20 - 30 month for some Egyptian Cities according to the Latitude and annual degree-days.

Microscale Infrared Observation of Liquid-Vapor Phase Change Process on the Surface of Porous Media for Loop Heat Pipe

Loop Heat Pipe (LHP) performance strongly depends on the performance of a wick that is porous media inserted in an evaporator. In this paper, the visualization results of thermo-fluid behavior on the surface of the wick with microscopic infrared thermography were reported. In this study, 2 different samples that simulated a part of wick in the evaporator were used. The wicks were made by different two materials: polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and stainless steel (SUS). The pore radii of PTFE wick and SUS wick are 1.2 μm and 22.5 μm. The difference of thermo-fluid behavior that was caused by the difference of material was investigated. These two materials include 4 different properties: pore radius, thermal conductivity, permeability and porosity. In order to investigate the effect of the thermal conductivity on wick’s operating mode, the phase diagram on the q-keff plane was made. Based on the temperature line profiles, two operating modes: mode of heat conduction and mode of convection were observed. The effective thermal conductivity of the porous media has strong effect on the operating modes. In addition, the difference of heat leak through the wick that was caused by the difference of the material was discussed.

Effect of Sinusoidal Heating on Natural Convection Coupled to Thermal Radiation in a Square Cavity Subjected to Cross Temperature Gradients

Coupled natural convection and surface radiation within a square cavity, filled with air and submitted to discrete heating and cooling from all its walls, is studied numerically. The thermally active elements are centrally located on the walls of the cavity. Two heating modes, called SB and SV, are considered. They correspond to bottom and vertical left elements sinusoidally heated in time, respectively, while the top and vertical right ones are constantly cooled. The remaining portions of all the walls are considered adiabatic. The parameters governing the problem are the amplitude and the period of the temporally sinusoidal temperature, the emissivity of the walls , the relative lengths of the active elements and the Rayleigh number . The effect of such parameters on flow and thermal fields and the resulting heat transfer is examined. It is shown that, during a flow cycle, the flow structure can present complex behavior, depending on the emissivity and the amplitude and period of the exciting temperature. The rate of heat transfer is generally enhanced in the case of sinusoidal heating. Also, the resonance phenomenon existence, characterized by maximum fluctuations in flow intensity and heat transfer, is proved in this study.

Preparation of Composites by Nitro Aluminothermic Processes, over β–SiAlON Matrix in the SiAlON-SiC-Al2O3 System

Goal: The goal of the research is preparation of SiAlON-containing composite through nitro aluminothermic processes, by the methods of reactive sintering and hot compaction. Method: The composite CH-6 was obtained by the method of reactive sintering, with further grinding and hot compression in vacuum furnace at 16000°C, under 30 MPa pressure and 10-12 min standing at the final temperature. Precursor was prepared in a thermostat at 150°C temperature by double compression. Pressure equaled to 20-25 MPa. Results: Physical-technical properties of specimens prepared via hot compaction were investigated. Mechanical strength at compression is 1940 MPa;mechanical strength at bending is 490 MPa;elastic module is 199.5 GPa, HV-11.6 GPa. X-Ray diffraction analysis, electron microscopic and X-ray diffraction Microspectral analysis were used to investigate composite microstructure and phase composition. Composite formulation was defined, the main phases of which were: β-SiAlON, corundum and silicium carbide. Conclusion: Composite CH-6 has been selected from the obtained composites, which is characterized by relatively high physical-technical properties: strength, density and hardness. Materials can be used for making high refractory articles, such as jackets to secure thermocouples, furnace bedding, cutting tools for metal and wood treatment, in rocket spatial technology and others.

Best Practices for Thermal Modeling in Microelectronics with Natural Convection Cooling: Sensitivity Analysis

A detailed sensitivity study was carried out on various key parameters from a high precision numerical model of a microelectronic package cooled by natural convection, to provide rules for the thermal modeling of microelectronic packages subjected to natural convection heat transfer. An accurate estimate of the junction temperature, with an error of less than 1˚C, was obtained compared to the experimental data for the vertical and horizontal orientations of the test vehicle in the JEDEC Still Air configuration. The sensitivity study showed that to have an accurate estimate of the temperature, the following elements should be present in the thermal model: radiation heat transfer in natural convection cooling;a computational fluid dynamics analysis to find realistic convection coefficients;detailed models of the high conductivity elements in the direction of the heat flow towards the environment;and finally precise values for the thicknesses of layers and the thermal properties of the substrate and the printed circuit board.

Modeling of Subcooled Boiling Heat Transfer to Cool Electronic Components in a Micro-Channel

This paper aims to model a subcooled flow boiling in a vertical stainless-steel micro-channel with an upward flow in 1 mm diameter, 40 mm length and 0.325 mm thickness tube. Water has been considered as a working fluid. The heat flux varies from 600 - 750 kW·m-2, input velocity from 1 - 2 m·s-1, and the subcooled temperature varies from 59.6 - 79.6 K. The working pressure and saturation temperature are 1 atm and 372.75 K, respectively. The results show that, the flow boiling keeps the temperature of the channel wall lower and more uniform than a single-phase flow, as long as the flow boiling does not reach the dry-out point. The onset point of dry-out depends on three factors, heat flux, inlet velocity, and subcooled temperature. In addition, the dry-out occurs at a point near the channel inlet with increased heat flux and subcooled temperature. Decreasing the inlet velocity would also cause the dry-out point to shift closer to the inlet of the channel.

Obtaining of SiAlON Composite via Metal-Thermal and Nitrogen Processes in the SiC-Si-Al-Geopolymer System

Goal: obtaining of composite in the SiC-SiAlON system with the metal thermal method in the nitrogen medium. Method: SiALON-s are solid metal oxide solutions in nitrides. Area of their presence is considered in four-component system-Si3N4-ALN-AL2O3-SiO2. In the present paper SiALON-containing composite was obtained through alum-thermal process in the nitrogen medium on the base of Geopolymer (kaolin and pologycley-Ukraine), SiC, aluminum nano-powder and Si powder with small additives of perlite (Aragatz, Armenia) by the reactive baking method. The advantage of this method is that compounds, which are newly formed thanks to interaction going on at thermal treatment: Si3N4, Si, AlN are active, which contributes to SiALON formation at relatively low temperature, at 1250°C - 1300°C. Results-β-SiAlON was formed at the sintering of SiC-aluminium and silicium powder, geopolymer at 1450°C. Porosity of carbide SiAlON composite obtained by reactive sintering, according to water absorption, equals to 13% - 15%. The samples were fragmented in a jaw-crusher and were powdered in attrition mill till micro-powder dispersion was obtained. Then samples were hot-pressed at 1620°C under 30 MPa pressure. Hold-time at the final temperature was 8 min. Sample water absorption, according to porosity, was less than 0.4%. Further studies were continued on these samples. Conclusion: the paper offers processes of formation of SiC-SiAlON composites and their physical and technical properties. Phase composition of the composites was studied by X-ray diffraction method, while the structure was studied by the use of optic and electron microscope. Electric properties showed that the specimen A obtained by hot-compression is characterized by 2 signs lower resistance than the porous material B, which was used to receive this specimen. Probably this should be connected with transition of the reactively baked structure of the hot-compressed material into compact structure. Obtained materials are used in protecting jackets of thermo couples used for melted metal temperature measuring (18 - 20 measuring) and for constructions used for placing objects in factory furnaces.

Optimization by Thermodynamics in Time Finished of a Cold Store with Mechanical Compression of the Vapors

This study made it possible to determine by the application of thermodynamics in finished time, the points of instruction necessary to the development of a regulation system for the rationalization of the power consumption in a cold store. These points were obtained by determining the optimal variations of temperature as well to the condenser and the evaporator corresponding to the minimum capacity absorptive by the compressor for a maximum COP.

Thermal Performance of MR-16 Light Emitting Diode Products

The thermal properties of Light Emitting Diode (LED) products have a significant impact on their longevity and overall performance. Products which are unable to adequately dissipate heat degrade, shortening the projected lifespan. A testing apparatus has been constructed to characterize the thermal behavior of MR-16 LED products. This paper documents the testing setup and measurement results for 9 separate products, and identifies product characteristics which demonstrate higher success at heat dissipation. The thermal performance was quantified using experimental data and heat transfer models. Calculations to quantify the magnitude of heat transferred through radiation and convection in each LED product were performed. Results indicate some of the products are better optimized to enhance convection heat transfer.

Forced Convection Heat Transfer Coefficient and Pressure Drop of Diamond-Shaped Fin-Array

Forced convection cooling of fins on a high-temperature wall has been used to cool high-power electronic devices. We numerically calculated and experimentally measured the forced convection heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop of a diamond-shaped fin-array with water flow in this study, which had been reported to have a self-induced flip-flop flow phenomenon. Although the flip-flop flow phenomenon occurred in calculations, it was not observed in experiments. The heat transfer and pressure drop of the diamond-shaped fin-array could be estimated with equations for turbulent flow in tubes.

Operating Characteristics of Multiple Evaporators and Multiple Condensers Loop Heat Pipe with Polytetrafluoroethylene Wicks

This paper presents fabrication and testing of a multiple-evaporator and multiple-condenser loop heat pipe (MLHP) with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) porous media as wicks. The MLHP has two evaporators and two condensers in a loop heat pipe in order to adapt to various changes of thermal condition in spacecraft. The PTFE porous media was used as the primary wicks to reduce heat leak from evaporators to compensation chambers. The tests were conducted under an atmospheric condition. In the tests that heat loads are applied to both evaporators, the MLHP was stably operated as with a LHP with a single evaporator and a single condenser. The relation between the sink temperature and the thermal resistance was experimentally evaluated. In the test with the heat load to one evaporator, the heat transfer from the heated evaporator to the unheated evaporator was confirmed. In the heat load switching test, in which the heat load is switched from one evaporator to another evaporator repeatedly, the MLHP could be stably operated. The loop operation with the large temperature difference between the heat sinks was also tested. From this result, the stable operation of the MLHP in the various conditions was demonstrated. It was also found that a flow regulator which prevents the uncondensed vapor from the condensers is required at the inlet of the common liquid line when one condenser has higher temperature and cannot condense the vapor in it.

Numerical Study of Thin Film Condensation in Forced Convection of Saturated Vapor on a Vertical Wall Covered with a Porous Material

The study of forced convection in a porous medium has aroused and still arouses today the interest of many scientists and industrialists. A considerable amount of work has been undertaken following the discovery of the phenomenon. Solving a standard problem of forced convection in porous media comes down to predicting the temperature and velocity fields as well as the intensity of the flow as a function of the various parameters of the problem. A numerical study of the condensation in forced convection of a pure and saturated vapor on a vertical wall covered with a porous material is presented. The transfers in the porous medium and the liquid film are described respectively by the Darcy-Brinkman model and the classical boundary layer equations. The dimensionless equations are solved by an implicit finite difference method and the iterative Gauss-Seidel method. Our study makes it possible to examine and highlight the role of parameters such as: the Froude number and the thickness of the porous layer on the speed and the temperature in the porous medium. Given the objective of our study, the presentation of velocity and temperature profiles is limited in the porous medium. The results show that the Froude number does not influence the thermal field. The temperature increases with an increase in the thickness of the dimensionless porous layer. The decrease in the Froude number leads to an increase in the hydrodynamic field.

Simulation of District Cooling Plant and Efficient Energy Air Cooled Condensers (Part I)

In hot arid countries with severe weather, the summer air conditioning systems consume much electrical power at peak period. Shifting the loads peak to off-peak period with thermal storage is recommended. Model A of residential buildings and Model B of schools and hospitals were used to estimate the daily cooling load profile in Makkah, Saudi Arabia at latitude of 21.42°N and longitude of 39.83°E. Model A was constructed from common materials, but Model B as Model A with 5 - 8 cm thermal insulation and double layers glass windows. The average data of Makkah weather through 2010, 2011 and 2012 were used to calculate the cooling load profile and performance of air conditioning systems. The maximum cooling load was calculated at 15:00 o’clock for a main floor building to a 40-floor of residential building and to 5 floors of schools. A district cooling plant of 180,000 Refrigeration Ton was suggested to serve the Gabal Al Sharashf area in the central zone of Makkah. A thermal storage system to store the excess cooling capacity was used. Air cooled condensers were used in the analysis of chiller refrigeration cycle. The operating cost was mainly a function of electrical energy consumption. Fixed electricity tariff was 0.04 $/kWh for electromechanical counter, and 0.027, 0.04, 0.069 $/kWh for shifting loads peak for the smart digital counter. The results showed that the daily savings in consumed power are 8.27% in spring, 6.86% in summer, 8.81% in autumn, and 14.55% in winter. Also, the daily savings in electricity bills are 12.26% in spring, 16.66% in summer, 12.84% in autumn, and 14.55% in winter. The obtained maximum saving in consumed power is 14.5% and the daily saving in electricity bills is 43% in summer when the loads peak is completely shifted to off-peak period.

Development and Investigation of a Miniature Copper-Acetone Loop Heat Pipe with a Flat Evaporator

The paper presents the results of development and investigation of a copper miniature loop heat pipe (LHP) with acetone as a working fluid. The device was equipped with a flat evaporator measuring 80 × 42 × 7 mm and vapor and liquid lines with an outside diameter of 3 mm, whose lengths were 145 mm and 175 mm, respectively. The LHP was tested at heat loads from 5 W to 60 W, different orientations in the gravity field and heat-sink temperatures from -40°C to +50°C. It is shown that the LHP retains its efficiency at all testing conditions. It is also mentioned that at a heat-sink temperature of +50°C the device operates in the mode of constant conductivity in the whole range of heat loads, and in this case a minimum thermal resistance of the “heat source-heat sink” system equal to 0.16°C/W is achieved, which is independent of the LHP orientation in the gravity field.

Heat Pipe for Aerospace Applications—An Overview

The paper presents an overview of heat pipes, especially those used in different space missions. Historical perspectives, principles of operations, types of heat pipes are discussed. Several factors have contributed to the science and technology of the present state-of-Art heat pipe leading to the development of loop heat pipes, micro and miniature heat pipes and micro loop heat pipes. The paper highlights the advancement of heat pipe for hypersonic cruise vehicles, loop heat pipes with higher conductance in 10 K range, heat pipe switches for temperature control of the spacecraft electronics.

A Theoretical Study on Energy of a Gaseous System Vis-a-Vis Mass and Temperature

To study various properties of a gas has been a subject of rational curiosity in pneumatic sciences. A gaseous system, in general, is studied by using four measurable parameters namely, the pressure, volume, number of moles and temperature. In the present work, an attempt is made to study the variation of energy of an ideal gas with the two measurable parameters, the mass and temperature of the gas. Using the well known ideal gas equation, PV = nRT where symbols have their usual meanings and some simple mathematical operations widely used in physics, chemistry and mathematics in a transparent manner, an equation of state relating the three variables, the energy, mass and temperature of an ideal gas is obtained. It is found that energy of an ideal gas is equal to the product of mass and temperature of the gas. This gives a direct relationship between the energy, mass and temperature of the gas. Out of the three variables, the energy, mass and temperature of an ideal gas, if one of the parameters is held constant, the other two variables can be measured. At a constant temperature, when the power or energy is stabilized, the increase in the mass of the gas may affect the new works and an engine can therefore be prevented from overheating.

Evaporation Induced Thermal Patterns in Fluid Layers: A Numerical Study

Liquid layers evaporating under the influence of a gas shear flow presents a non-uniform distribution of the evaporation rate all along the interface. Being the evaporation an endothermic process, a thermal gradient along the interface is generated and thermo-capillary flows are induced. Hence, two opposite mechanisms regulate the movement of the interface: the shear stress of the gas that entrains the interface in the direction of the flow and the thermo-capillary stress that forces the interface to move against the flow direction. The composition of these mechanisms at the interface generates an unstable thermal patterning. The dynamic evolution of the patterning and the relative evaporation rate are strongly influenced by the flow rate of inert gas, the layer thickness and the liquid thermo-physical properties. The goal of the present work is to study numerically how the evaporation process is influenced by the above-mentioned mechanisms. The focus will be on the evolution of the thermal patterning at the interface and the assessment of the main factors influencing the computed evaporation rate.

Two-Dimensional Numerical Investigation on Applicability of 45^。Heat Spreading Angle

The 45。heat spreading angle is familiar among thermal designers. This angle has been used for thermal design of electronic devices, and provides a heat spreading area inside a board, e.g. printed circuit board, which is placed between a heat dissipating element and a relatively large heat sink. By using this angle, the heat transfer behavior can be estimated quickly without using high-performance computers. In addition, the rough design can be made easily by changing design parameters. This angle is effective in a practical situation;however, the discussion has not been made sufficiently on the applicability of the 45。heat spreading angle. In the present study, therefore, the extensive numerical investigation is conducted for the rational thermal design using the 45。heat spreading angle. The two-dimensional mathematical model of the board is considered;the center of the top is heated by a heat source while the bottom is entirely cooled by a heat sink. The temperature distribution is obtained by solving the heat conduction equation numerically with the boundary conditions. From the numerical results, the heat transfer behavior inside the board is shown and its relation with the design parameters is clarified. The heat transfer behavior inside the 45。heat spreading area is also evaluated. The applicability is moreover discussed on the thermal resistance of the board obtained by the 45。heat spreading angle. It is confirmed that the 45。heat spreading angle is applicable when the Biot number is large, and then the equations are proposed to calculate the Biot number index to use the 45。angle. Furthermore, the validity of the 45。heat spreading angle is also confirmed when the isothermal boundary condition is used at the cooled section of the board.