Thermal Performance and Operational Attributes of the Startup Characteristics of Flat-Shaped Heat Pipes using Nanofluids

Master of Science, Graduate Program in Mechanical Engineering
University of California, Riverside, July 2011
Dr. Kambiz Vafai, Chairperson

Thermal  performance  and  start-up  characteristics  of  flat-shaped heat  pipes  using  nanofluids,  is  analyzed  in  this  work.  Transient behavior,    performance,    and    operational    characteristics    of flat-shaped  heat  pipes  using  nanofluids  as  the  working  fluid  are investigated  in  this  work.  Three  different  primary  nanofluids namely,,,  and    were  utilized  in  our  analysis.  A  comprehensive analytical  model,  which  accounts  in  detail  the  heat  transfer characteristics  within  the  pipe  wall  and  the  wick  within  the condensation  and  evaporation  sections,  was  utilized.  The  results illustrate   enhancement   in   the   heat   pipe   performance   while achieving  a  reduction  in  the  thermal  resistance  of  both  flat-plate and disk-shaped heat pipes throughout the transient process. It was shown  that  a  higher  concentration  of  nanoparticles  increases  the thermal performance of either flat-plate or disk-shaped heat pipes. We have also established that for the same heat load a smaller size flat-shaped heat pipe can be utilized when using nanofluids.