Visualization of Two-Phase Flow in 3D Printed Polycarbonate Pulsating Heat Pipe With Aluminum Substrate

A pulsating heat pipe (PHP) is a passive device with a good heat transport capability compared to other heat pipes. This paper describes an experimental investigation of a PHP with a serpentine channel fabricated by using a 3-D printer. The configuration of the flow channels in the PHP was close to that of commercially available PHPs made entirely of aluminum. To improve the heat transport capability and enable flow visualization, an aluminum plate was used on one side as the heat-transfer surface, on which transparent flow channels were fabricated by a 3-D printer and a polycarbonate filament. The interface between the aluminum plate and polycarbonate flow channel was cemented with a heat-resistant glue to ensure long term sealing. HFE-7000 was used as a working fluid. Oscillating two-phase flow in the PHP was observed with a high-speed digital video camera and transient surface temperatures at evaporator, insulator and condenser sections were measured by fine diameter thermocouples. The two-phase flow and thermal characteristics of the PHP at different heater power levels are presented.

Effect of Hydrophilic Nanostructured Cupric Oxide Surfaces on the Heat Transport Capability of a Flat-Plate Oscillating Heat Pipe

With a surface treatment of hydrophilic cupric oxide (CuO) nanostructures on the channels inside a flat-plate oscillating heat pipe (FP-OHP), the wetting effect on the thermal performance of an FP-OHP was experimentally investigated. Three FP-OHP configurations were tested: (1) evaporator treated, (2) condenser treated, and (3) untreated. Both evaporator- and condenser-treated FP-OHPs show significantly enhanced performance. The greatest improvement was seen in the condenser-treated FP-OHP, a 60% increase in thermal performance. Neutron imaging provided insight into the fluid dynamics inside the FP-OHPs. These findings show that hydrophilic nanostructures and their placement play a key role in an OHP's performance.

Experimental Investigation of Ultrasonic Frequency Effect on an Oscillating Heat Pipe

The heat transport capability in an oscillating heat pipe (OHP) significantly depends on the oscillating frequency. An external frequency directly affects the natural frequency in the system. In this investigation, the ultrasound sound effect on the heat transport capability in an OHP was conducted with focus on the ultrasonic frequency effect on the oscillating motion and heat transfer capacity in an OHP. The ultrasonic sound was applied to the evaporating section of the OHP by using the electrically-controlled piezoelectric ceramics. The heat pipe was tested with or without the ultrasonic sound with different frequencies. In addition, the effects of operating temperature, heat load from 25 W to 150 W were investigated. The experimental results demonstrate that the heat transfer capacity enhancement of the OHP depends on the frequency of the ultrasound field, and there exists an optimum combination of the frequencies which will lead to the largest enhancement of the heat transfer capacity of the OHP.