Simulation of the early startup period of high temperature heat pipes from the frozen state by a rarefied vapor self-diffusion model
Conference
Cao, Y, Faghri, A. (1992). Simulation of the early startup period of high temperature heat pipes from the frozen state by a rarefied vapor self-diffusion model
. 206-3 21-27.
Cao, Y, Faghri, A. (1992). Simulation of the early startup period of high temperature heat pipes from the frozen state by a rarefied vapor self-diffusion model
. 206-3 21-27.
The early startup period of high temperature heat pipes from the frozen state was studied numerically. The vapor flow in the heat pipe was simulated by a rarefied vapor self-diffusion model which was coupled with the phase change of the working fluid in the wick and heat conduction in the heat pipe wall. The numerical results showed that large vapor density gradients existed along the heat pipe length and the vapor flow reached supersonic velocities when the density was extremely low. The numerical outer wall temperatures were compared with experimental data with good agreement and some recommendations for future study on heat pipe startup were given.
