Investigation of Start-Up Characteristics of Thermosyphons Modified with Different Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Inner Surfaces

Xiaolong Ma, Zhongchao Zhao, Pengpeng Jiang, Shan Yang, Shilin Li and Xudong Chen
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Xiaolong Ma: School of Energy and Power, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212000, China
Zhongchao Zhao: School of Energy and Power, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212000, China
Pengpeng Jiang: School of Energy and Power, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212000, China
Shan Yang: School of Energy and Power, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212000, China
Shilin Li: School of Energy and Power, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212000, China
Xudong Chen: School of Energy and Power, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212000, China

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 3, 1-16

Abstract: In this paper, the influence of wettability properties on the start-up characteristics of two-phase closed thermosyphons (TPCTs) is investigated. Chemical coating and etching techniques are performed to prepare the surfaces with different wettabilities that is quantified in the form of the contact angle (CA). The 12 TPCTs are processed including the same CA and a different CA combination on the inner surfaces inside both the evaporator and the condenser sections. For TPCTs with the same wettability properties, the introduction of hydrophilic properties inside the evaporator section not only significantly reduces the start-up time but also decreases the start-up temperature. For example, the start-up time of a TPCT with CA = 28° at 40 W, 60 W and 80 W is 46%, 50% and 55% shorter than that of a TPCT with a smooth surface and the wall superheat degrees is 55%, 39% and 28% lower, respectively. For TPCTs with combined hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties, the start-up time spent on the evaporator section with hydrophilic properties is shorter than that of the hydrophobic evaporator section and the smaller CA on the condenser section shows better results. The start-up time of a TPCT with CA = 28° on the evaporator section and CA = 105° on the condenser section has the best start-up process at 40 W, 60 W and 80 W which is 14%, 22% and 26% shorter than that of a TPCT with smooth surface. Thus, the hydrophilic and hydrophobic modifications play a significant role in promoting the start-up process of a TPCT.

Keywords: Thermosyphon; start-up characteristics; hydrophilic and hydrophobic; contact angle (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: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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