Parametric studies on pulsating heat pipe
International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow
ISSN: 0961-5539
Article publication date: 18 May 2010
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a numerical investigation on pulsating heat pipe (PHP) to study the slug velocities as a function of various parameters.
Design/methodology/approach
The governing equation of PHP is solved using explicit embedded Runge‐Kutta method, the Dormand–Prince pair in conjunction with MATLAB with the nomenclature 45 for the determination of displacement and the velocity of the slug.
Findings
The results show that lower fill ratio, higher diameter, higher operating temperature and higher temperature difference between evaporator and condenser for a given working fluid results in higher slug velocities, indicating higher momentum transfer and hence better heat transport.
Research limitations/implications
Under steady state conditions, the design of a PHP is facilitated through the introduction of non‐dimensional numbers.
Originality/value
The displacement and slug velocities for additional working fluids, namely ethanol and methanol, are determined for the first time. The behaviour of non‐dimensional numbers, i.e. Poiseuille number, capillary number and Eckert number in a PHP as a function of various parameters have been studied for the first time.
Keywords
Citation
Rama Narasimha, K., Sridhara, S.N., Rajagopal, M.S. and Seetharamu, K.N. (2010), "Parametric studies on pulsating heat pipe", International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, Vol. 20 No. 4, pp. 392-415. https://doi.org/10.1108/09615531011035802
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2010, Emerald Group Publishing Limited