Measurements of the transient behavior of a capillary structure under heavy thermal loading

Abstract The transient operating characteristics of a slab type capillary structure in a refrigerant 11 heat pipe have been studied under conditions which cause partial or complete drying and rewetting to occur. Detailed changes with time in internal liquid and vapor temperature distributions, internal pressure, and heat transport capability are presented. It was found that the device will, under some conditions, approach steady operation with a portion of the capillary structure dried and that rewetting can be quickly accomplished. However, when the entire structure is dried, rewetting is much more difficult to accomplish.