A novel investigation on thermal performance and start-up of pulsating heat pipe at microgravity
Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, vol.150, no.18, pp.14615-14632, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 150 Issue: 18
- Publication Date: 2025
- Doi Number: 10.1007/s10973-025-14539-4
- Journal Name: Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Aerospace Database, Chemical Abstracts Core, Chimica, Communication Abstracts, Compendex, Index Islamicus, INSPEC, Metadex, Civil Engineering Abstracts
- Page Numbers: pp.14615-14632
- Keywords: Computational fluid dynamics, Gravity, Inclination, Nanofluids, Pulsating heat pipe
- Uşak University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Pulsating heat pipes (PHPs) have drawn substantial attention due to their intricate thermo-hydrodynamic properties and versatility in heat transfer applications, especially in gravity-free or unfavorable orientations. The current study focuses on improving the heat transfer efficiency and start-up characteristics of two-phase flow in PHPs with minimal heat input. A single-turn PHP utilizing nanofluids of Al2O3/CNT was numerically analyzed under various orientations (30°, 45°, 60°) and gravitational conditions (9.8 ms−2 and 5.5 ms−2). The results indicated that: (i) the maximum heat transfer efficiency was achieved at an inclination angle of 45° under both earth’s gravity and microgravity conditions; (ii) the condenser dry-out occurred at an inclination angle of 30° across all heat inputs in microgravity, while evaporator dry-out was observed at 30° and 60° under Earth’s gravity with an evaporator temperature of 115 K; (iii) the minimal start-up was achieved at a 60° inclination angle of with an evaporator temperature of 125 K, under both Earth’s gravity and microgravity conditions.