Numerical simulation of transient operation of loop heat pipes

A numerical model is developed to simulate the transient performance characteristics of loop heat pipes (LHP). The model satisfactorily simulates the overall dynamic behavior of an LHP unit tested under ambient and vacuum environments. The startup phase is also reproduced using the experimentally obtained incipient wall superheat. The accurate heat leak predictions at low powers remain problematic and experimental correlation is necessary. The model can be used to analyze the dynamic behavior of an LHP based thermal control system exposed to transient thermal loads.

[1]  Lockheed Martin,et al.  A METHODOLOGY FOR ENVELOPING RELIABLE START-UP OF LHPS , 2000 .

[2]  Michael Pauken,et al.  Performance Characterization and Model Verification of a Loop Heat Pipe , 2000 .

[3]  O. G. Martynenko,et al.  Handbook of hydraulic resistance , 1986 .

[4]  D. Kenning.  Liquid—vapor phase-change phenomena , 1993 .

[5]  Warren M. Rohsenow,et al.  Film boiling on the inside of vertical tubes with upward flow of the fluid at low qualities , 1963 .

[6]  Linda R. Petzold,et al.  Numerical solution of initial-value problems in differential-algebraic equations , 1996, Classics in applied mathematics.

[7]  J. Maxwell.  A Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism , 1873, Nature.

[8]  J. Ku,et al.  Theory of hydrodynamic stability for capillary pumped loops , 1995 .

[9]  A. G. Belonogov,et al.  Development of Two-Phase Loops with Capillary Pumps , 1997 .

[10]  Vincent Platel,et al.  Dynamic response of a capillary pumped loop subjected to various heat load transients , 2004 .

[11]  Triem T. Hoang,et al.  Verification of a Transient Loop Heat Pipe Model , 1999 .

[12]  J. Thom,et al.  Prediction of pressure drop during forced circulation boiling of water , 1964 .

[13]  Triem T. Hoang,et al.  Mathematical modeling of loop heat pipes and experimental validation , 1999 .

[14]  Marc Prat,et al.  Heat and mass transfer with phase change in aporous structure partially heated: continuum model andpore network simulations , 1999 .

[15]  W. M. Rohsenow,et al.  FILM BOILING OF THE INSIDE OF VERTICAL TUBES WITH UPWARD FLOW OF THE FLUID AT LOW QUALITIES. Report No. 9079-26. , 1963 .

[16]  J. C. Chen.  Correlation for Boiling Heat Transfer to Saturated Fluids in Convective Flow , 1966 .

[17]  Yiding Cao,et al.  Conjugate analysis of a flat-plate type evaporator for capillary pumped loops with three-dimensional vapor flow in the groove , 1994 .

[18]  A. S. Demidov,et al.  Investigation of heat and mass transfer in the evaporation zone of a heat pipe operating by the ‘inverted meniscus’ principle , 1994 .

[19]  Jane Baumann,et al.  Steady State and Transient Loop Heat Pipe Modeling , 2000 .

[20]  Yu.F. Maydanik,et al.  Loop heat pipes , 2005 .