Optimization Design of Closed-Loop Thermosyphons: Experimentation and Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling

Natthakit Ritthong (), Sommart Thongkom, Apichai Sawisit, Boonyabhorn Duangsa and Wirote Ritthong ()
Additional contact information
Natthakit Ritthong: Faculty of Industrial Education, Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10300, Thailand
Sommart Thongkom: Faculty of Engineering, Bangkokthonburi University, Bangkok 10300, Thailand
Apichai Sawisit: Faculty of Sciences and Liberal Arts, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Nakhon Rachasima 30000, Thailand
Boonyabhorn Duangsa: Faculty of Business Administation and Information Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Khon Kaen 40000, Thailand
Wirote Ritthong: Faculty of Engineering, Bangkokthonburi University, Bangkok 10300, Thailand

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 2, 1-18

Abstract: The well-established practice of integrating heat pipes into thermosyphons is recognized for its efficacy in achieving energy savings. This integration facilitates heat transfer and fluid circulation without requiring additional pumps or energy input, resulting in reduced consumption, lowered operational costs, and an overall improvement in system efficiency. This research explores the energy-saving potential of closed-loop thermosyphons, with a specific focus on their integration in latent heat-based heat pipe technologies in industrial settings. The study systematically investigates the influence of thermosyphon orientation on energy efficiency through a combination of experiments and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Thereby, it results in superior heat transfer rates in forced convection scenarios. A closed-loop thermosyphon heat exchanger undergoes evaluation in three panel installation configurations relative to the ground, taking into consideration factors including copper diameters, coolants (with or without R410a), and temperature conditions. CFD validation identifies an efficient thermosyphon design—a panel oriented perpendicularly to the ground and filled with R410a refrigerant at 90 °C. It utilizes a 19.05 mm copper tube for forced convection. This optimized design demonstrates a commendable heat transfer rate of 1485 W and a heat transfer coefficient of 1252 W/(m 2 ·K), significantly enhancing thermal process efficiency and resulting in notable energy savings.

Keywords: closed-loop thermosyphon; thermosyphon heat pipe; R410a; optimization design; thermal resistance experiment; computational fluid dynamics (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: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/2/527/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/2/527/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:2:p:527-:d:1323786

Access Statistics for this article

Energies is currently edited by Ms. Agatha Cao

More articles in Energies from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().