Experimental and Numerical Analysis of Start-Up of a Capillary Pumped Loop for Terrestrial Applications

A study on the start-up phases of a capillary pumped loop for terrestrial application (CPLTA) is proposed in this paper. Experimental analysis and numerical modeling, using a one-dimensional spatial discretization model, based on thermohydraulic equations and solved by nodal network/electrical analogy, are presented to study the thermal and hydraulic behavior of the loop for methanol and n-pentane as working fluids, during start-up transient phases. The experimental observations are backed up by the numerical model to help the transient and steady analysis of this kind of loop. The precise numerical study allows to have a better understanding of the complicated phenomena happening during the start-up and to have a global view of the behavior of the capillary pumped loop for integrated power (CPLIP) during these phases. In this study, it will be also shown the influence of vapor line solid walls thermal inertia and its impact on the dynamic behavior and on the success of the start-up of the loop.

Capillary Pumped Loop as a Tool for Collecting Large Heat Fluxes from Electronic Devices On Warships

The combat potential of future warships will be directly related to the use of modern electronic devices being parts of advanced systems, such as, for instance, radar systems, fire aiming systems, fire detection systems, electric drive systems, and even electronic and radio-electronic weaponry, railguns and lasers, installed on these warships. The capacity and functionality of these devices is continually increasing, at decreasing mass and dimensions, which results in higher power consumption. Heat collection becomes a growing problem in operation of these devices. The paper presents a concept of the use of the CPL (Capillary Pumped Loop) cycle for passive heat collection from precise electronic devices used on warships. It also includes the description of the experimental rig and discussion of the results of laboratory tests performed on this rig and confirmed using the mathematical model developed by the authors.