Investigations into the thermal performance of a helically coiled closed loop oscillating heat pipe

S. K. Yeboah, J. Darkwa

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

A numerical and experimental investigation has been carried out to evaluate the thermal performance of a helically coiled closed loop oscillating heat pipe (OHP). The OHP was designed to have its condenser and evaporator sections helically coiled to fit around a cylindrical packed bed vessel to offer a wider surface area of contact for enhanced heat transfer via the walls. The numerical investigation was carried out using an explicit Eulerian Volume of Fluid (VOF) model in ANSYS Fluent R15.0. Three working fluids within the required operating temperature range having suitable properties and compatible with copper were used to fill the OHPs to a volume fraction of 0.6. User defined functions (UDFs) were developed for realistic boundary conditions. The numerical results show that the OHPs at different heat inputs were still able to maintain a good temperature difference between the evaporator and condenser sections. The numerical model overall was able to give indication of the internal working conditions of the OHPs. For the experimental study, prototypes of the numerical models were developed and tested under laboratory conditions. Here OMEGA k-type thermocouples were used to obtain temperature data from the evaporator and condenser sections. The experimental results showed that the OHPs had the ability to maintain evaporator-condenser temperature difference at varied heat inputs. Thermal performance was found to be significantly different at start-up for the three working fluids, however overtime only a slight variation in thermal performance was observed at the varied heat inputs. Overall, there was reasonable agreement between experimental and the numerical study.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication14th International Energy Conversion Engineering Conference, 2016
PublisherAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA
ISBN (Print)9781624104077
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016
Event14th International Energy Conversion Engineering Conference, 2016 - Salt Lake City, United States
Duration: 25 Jul 201627 Jul 2016

Publication series

Name14th International Energy Conversion Engineering Conference, 2016

Conference

Conference14th International Energy Conversion Engineering Conference, 2016
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySalt Lake City
Period25/07/1627/07/16

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

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