Axially grooved and arterial heat pipe testing and numerical analysis

Testing of an axially grooved and an arterial heat pipe was performed under ambient conditions. Steady-state axial temperature distribution as a function of heat input and sink temperature was determined. Variable inclination testing with 5 W input power was performed to determine the dryout angle. Horizontal testing with variable power input was performed to determine the capillary limit. The effective thermal conductivity of each heat pipe as a function of heat input and sink temperature was determined.;Numerical modelling of the axially grooved heat pipe tested was performed. Poiseuille number as a function of contact angle and attachment point was determined. A capillary limit model was developed based on the groove geometry and external heat pipe dimensions. The parametric study of attachment point and contact angle variation led to the prediction of maximum heat transfer. Satisfactory agreement was found between the experiment and numerical model.