Visualization Study on Thermo-Hydrodynamic Behaviors of a Flat Two-Phase Thermosyphon

Chao Wang, Feng Yao, Juan Shi, Liangyu Wu and Mengchen Zhang
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Chao Wang: School of Hydraulic, Energy and Power Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
Feng Yao: School of Hydraulic, Energy and Power Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
Juan Shi: Key Laboratory of Energy Thermal Conversion and Control of Ministry of Education, School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210096, China
Liangyu Wu: School of Hydraulic, Energy and Power Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
Mengchen Zhang: Key Laboratory of Energy Thermal Conversion and Control of Ministry of Education, School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210096, China

Energies, 2018, vol. 11, issue 9, 1-13

Abstract: The coupled effect of boiling and condensation inside a flat two-phase thermosyphon has a non-negligible influence on the two-phase fluid flow behavior and heat transfer process. Therefore, a flat two-phase thermosyphon with transparent wall was manufactured. Based on this device, a visualization experiment system was developed to study the vapor–liquid two-phase behaviors and thermal performance of the flat two-phase thermosyphon. A cross-shaped wick using copper mesh was embedded into the cavity of two-phase thermosyphon to improve the heat transfer performance. The effects of heat flux density, working medium, and wick structure on the thermal performance are examined and analyzed. The results indicated that a strong liquid disturbance is caused by the bubble motions, leading to the enhancement of both convective boiling and condensation heat transfer. More bubbles are generated as the heat flux increases; therefore, the disturbance of bubble motion on liquid pool and condensation film becomes stronger, resulting in better thermal performance of the flat two-phase thermosyphon. The addition of the wick inside the cavity effectively reduces the temperature oscillation of the evaporator wall. In addition, the wick structure provides backflow paths for the condensate owing to the effect of capillary force and enhances the vapor–liquid phase change heat transfer, resulting in the improvement of thermal performance for the flat two-phase thermosyphon.

Keywords: thermosyphon; phase change; two-phase flow; visualization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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