Thermal Analysis of Heat Pipe Radiators with A Rectangular Groove Wick Structure
Abstract
Performance of a grooved heat pipe radiator has been analyzed to determine its operating characteristics. A heat transfer analysis for the heat pipe is coupled with the analysis of the fin in this study. The effects of heat pipe operating temperature on heat flux and fin efficiency are investigated. Finite difference expressions are used for the grid system of the heat pipe wall and the fin. The heat transfer coefficient of the heat pipe radiator was determined as a function of the operating temperature level. Realistic numerical results were achieved and it was shown that the required heat flux and the temperature difference between the evaporator and condensor both increase with operating temperature. Also, the heat transfer coefficient increased with operating temperature up to a certain point, then began to level-off near a temperature of approximately 400 K. In addition, the overall efficiency of the heat pipe-fin arrangement decreased as the operating temperature level increased.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA222952
Entities
People
- Chul H. Yang
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology