Design optimization of the condenser of loop heat pipe using a 1-dimensional numerical model
Abstract
This paper reports the optimal calculation of loop heat pipe condensers length based on the maximum length of the condenser, the maximum heater temperature, and the condensation condition. A 1-dimensional numerical model, which assumes heat is transferred through 1 direction, was used for the calculation. A new solution algorithm was proposed using 3 additional conditions of condensers length, the pore diameter of the wick, and temperature limitation of the heat source besides the other 2 conditions of thermal energy balance and capillary/loss pressure. The calculation converged and the results were suitable qualitatively, for example, the condensers length was smaller in case of worsening condensation condition (natural convection) than in case of better condensation condition (forced convection) or to obtain shorter condensers length smaller pore diameter was required. However, experimental researches have to be carried out in the next step to confirm these results quantitatively