Visualization Investigation of Heat Transfer Behavior in a Flat-Tube Shaped Heat Pipe

Jue Li, Ruofan Wang, Ting Xia and Haijun Chen ()
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Jue Li: CIMC Enric Engineering Technology Co., Ltd., Nanjing 210048, China
Ruofan Wang: School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
Ting Xia: School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
Haijun Chen: School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 5, 1-12

Abstract: Unveiling the heat transfer behavior of solar collectors in concentrating solar thermochemical energy storage is crucial for harnessing full-spectrum solar light. In this study, a glass Flat Tube-Shaped Heat Pipe (FT-SHP) was developed, and a visualization experimental platform was established to investigate its internal operation mechanisms and heat transfer characteristics. The results revealed that the liquid filling ratio (FR) significantly affects the heat transfer performance, with an optimal value identified as 25%. As the heat flow temperature in the evaporation section increased, both the Bubble Growing Frequency (BGF) and Droplet Condensation Reflux Period (DCRP) decreased, leading to a reduction in thermal resistance. Conversely, an increase in the cooling flow rate resulted in opposite trends in BGF and DCRP within the tube, while both the Reynolds ( Re ) number and thermal resistance decreased. As such, an empirical correlation between thermal resistance and Re number was derived, demonstrating a nonlinear relationship between thermal resistance, BGF, and DCRP. These findings provide important insights for the design of heat pipes, with the potential to enhance the efficiency and reliability of solar collectors.

Keywords: solar thermochemical energy storage; solar collector; heat pipe; 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: 2025
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