Continued development of highly compact and powerful electronic components has led to the need for a simple and effective method for controlling the thermal characteristics of these devices. One proposed method for thermal control involves the use of a micro heat pipe system containing a working fluid with physical properties having been speciffcally selected such that the heat pipes, as a whole, vary in effective thermal conductance, thereby providing a level of temperature regulation. To further explore this possibility, a design scenario with appropriate constraints was established and a model developed to solve for the effective thermal conductance of individual heat pipes as a function of evaporator-end temperature. From the results of this analysis, several working fluids were identified and selected from a list over thirteen hundred that were initially analyzed. Next, a thermal circuit model was developed that translated the individual heat pipe operating characteristics into the system as a whole to determine the system level effects. It was found that none of the prospective fluids could completely satisfy the established design requirements to regulate the device temperature over the entire range of operating conditions. This failure to fully satisfy design requirements was due, in large part, to the highly constrained nature of problem definition. Several fluids, however, did provide for an improved level of thermal control when compared to the unmodified design. Suggestions for improvements that may lead to enhanced levels of thermal control are offered as well as areas that are in need of further research.

In this research, we quantify the parametric effects (number of turns, inclination angle, and filling ratio) on different designs of closed loop oscillating heat pipes (CLOHPs). Experiments were conducted on a CLOHP, which is made of copper tube with 1.65-mm inner diameter. Tubes are heated and cooled by constant temperature in wind tunnels, and n-pentane was used as the working fluid. The numbers of turns used were 5, 7, and 9. The effects of number of turns were investigated in order to prove the less gravity effect when the number of turns increases. Inclination angles used were 75, 82.5, and 90-degree. Inclination angle effects were investigated to verify that inclination angle decreases the affects of gravitational force. The tubes were charged to 0 and to 70 percent of total volume of tubes with n-pentane to demonstrate optimum heat transfer between condenser and evaporation sections. The importance of this work is in presenting design parameters to obtain lower energy consumption in comparison to previous known designs. Results indicate that 9 turns, 90-degree inclination angle, and charging 70 percent n-pentane of tubes were the most effective design parameters.

Preventing ice accumulation on aircraft surfaces is important to maintain safe operation during flight. Ice accumulation on aero-engine nose cones is detrimental as large pieces may break off and be ingested into the engine damaging the compressor blades. Currently, hot bleed air is taken from the compressor and blown over the inside and outside surfaces of the nose cone to prevent ice formation on the surface. Although effective, this technique reduces the efficiency of the aero-engine. This investigation evaluates the performance of a novel anti-icing system that uses a rotating heat pipe to transfer heat from the engine to the nose cone. Rotating heat pipes are effective two-phase heat transfer devices capable of transporting large amounts of heat over small temperature differences and cross-sectional areas. In this system, waste heat that is generated in the engine would be transferred to the rotating heat pipe at an evaporator and then transferred into the critical areas of the nose cone at a condenser preventing ice accumulation on the outside surface. In this investigation, the heat is transferred into the heat pipe from a fluid heated by the engine that would pass through a small annular gap between the rotating heat pipe and a stationary wall. The heat transfer for this configuration and the effect of passive heat transfer augmentation on the outside of the rotating heat pipe in the jacket was investigated experimentally for a range of Taylor numbers of 10^6 < Ta < 5x10^7 and for axial Reynolds numbers of 900 < Re_x < 2100, characteristic of this configuration when engine lubricant was used as the working fluid. It was found that by using an array of three-dimensional cubical protrusions, the heat transfer in the evaporator could be increased by 35% to 100%. This result was better than that found using two-dimensional rib roughness. It was also found that the evaporator performance was a limiting factor in the heat transfer performance of the system under most conditions, so further optimization of the evaporator is important. In the proposed condenser design, the condenser section of the rotating heat pipe would be encased in a lightweight, high conductivity polycrystalline graphite or similar composite material and the end of the heat pipe would be in direct contact with the nose cone. It was found that the end-wall of the heat pipe was not a source of high heat transfer, however it provided an effective means for heating the tip of the nose cone. The effect of using heating channels on the inside of the nose cone was also considered. Here, the condensate from the rotating heat pipe was driven through small radially spaced channels on the inside surface of the nose cone. The heating channels were found to be ineffective due to the small contact area that could be made with the nose cone. This was a result of the limited condensate flow that occurs in rotating heat pipes. The heat transfer through the proposed system was 700W to 1100W using water and 400W to 800W using ethanol in the heat pipe. It was found that 50% to 75% of the arclength of the nose cone could be maintained above 0°C using water in the heat pipe at an ambient temperature of -30°C and an airplane speed of 300 km/h. This arclength decreased to approximately 25% when ethanol was used as the working fluid. An increase in airplane speed reduced this arclength maintained above 0°C significantly. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

Dans le cadre d’une contribution à la modélisation des caloducs oscillants, le modèle mis en place se résume à une bulle seule se déplaçant dans un tube de dimension capillaire.Une densité volumique de chaleur est considérée dans la paroi du capillaire, et la température de référence considérée n’est pas la température de saturation de la phase vapeur,mais la température extérieure au tube ce qui permet la variation de la température de saturation dans le temps et une meilleur adéquation du modèle avec la réalité. La résolution du modèle est effectuée par étapes selon la technique de perturbation du domaine,et les effets physiques de moindres importances peuvent être ajoutés au problème simplifié, en particulier les effets inertiels. Cette résolution a permis de définir une nouvelle corrélation portant sur la hauteur de film déposé par le bouchon liquide en mouvement en fonction du nombre capillaire et d’un nombre d’évaporation représentant l’intensité du chargement thermique. Ce modèle permettra aussi d’étudier l’influence réciproque des champs de vitesse et de température sur le bouchon de liquide devant le ménisque en déplacement. La résolution du problème associé à la partie arrière de la bulle met en évidence la formation d’un bourrelet de liquide entre le film de liquide déposé à la paroi et le ménisque arrière. La taille de ce bourrelet est fortement dépendante de la densité de flux de chaleur imposée à la paroi. Dans le cas o`u le ménisque arrière remouille un film adsorbé laissé à la paroi après assèchement du film, la ligne triple présente des ondulations axiales dues à son déplacement, et non au chargement thermique. La densité de flux de masse évaporée à l’interface liquide-vapeur entraîne une modification non seulement de la température de saturation, mais aussi de la masse de la bulle. Un modèle thermodynamique de la phase vapeur a ´et´e mis en place pour étudier les paramètres importants influençant les variations temporelles des caractéristiques géométriques et thermodynamiques de la bulle. / The model of a single bubble moving in a capillary tube is written as a contribution to the modeling of Pulsating Heat Pipes. A constant heat load is considered at the wall, and the reference temperature of the problem is defined to be the outside medium temperature, which is closer to reality, and thus allowing the saturation temperature of the vapor phase to vary. Using domain perturbation techniques, a step-by-step resolution ofthe model is implemented, allowing minor physical effects to be taken into consideration,for example the inertial effect on the receding meniscus. A new correlation is proposed on the thickness of the liquid film deposited by the receding meniscus, by means of the capillary number and an evaporation number representing the thermal condition. The velocity and temperature fields in the liquid plug ahead of the meniscus can also be obtained. The resolution of the problem associated with the rear-end of the bubble,where the rear meniscus advances on either a micrometric liquid film or an adsorbed film left by the dry-out of the capillary wall, shows a corrugating liquid-vapor interface.The magnitude of these corrugations is strongly dependent on the value of the heat load applied at the wall. In the case of wall rewetting, the interface corrugations at the triple line are due to its displacement, and not to the thermal boundary condition. Because the evaporative mass flux through the liquid-vapor interface modifies the vapor bubble mass, a complete transient thermodynamical model of the bubble is implemented. In this case, the important parameters controlling the kinematics, dynamics and thermodynamics of the bubble were identified.

ABSTRACT The natural convection phenomenon in solar energy water trough for stable loading on a wall is studied numerically in this paper. Governing equations are transformed in vorticity-stream equations. Gauss-Seidel method with finite-difference implicit scheme was applied. The effects of the parameters of Rayleigh number, heat pipe length, heat pipe thickness, the distance from heat pipe to down side of water trough and the studied angle of inclination. The results indicate that the heat transfer coefficients increase with the Rayleigh number, the heat pipe length, the heat pipe thickness and the angle of inclination.

Loop heat pipes seem a promising approach for application in modern technologies where such thermal devices as cooling fans and radiators cannot satisfy overall requirements. Even though a loop heat pipe has a big potential to remove the thermal energy from a high heat flux source, the heat removal performance of heat pipes cannot be predicted well since a first principles of evaporation has not been established. An evaporation model based on statistical rate theory has been recently suggested by Ward and developed for a single pore by Oinuma. A loop heat pipe with coherent pore wick structure has been proposed as a design model. To limit product development risk and to enhance performance assurance, design model features and performance parameters have been carefully reviewed during the concept development phase and have been deliberately selected so as to be well-founded on the limited existing loop heat pipe knowledge base. A first principles evaporation model has been applied for evaporator geometry optimization. A number of iteration calculations have been performed to satisfy design and operating limitations. A set of recommendations for design optimization has been formulated. An optimal model has been found and proposed for manufacture and experimental investigation.

A novel and new thermal management technology for advanced ceramic microelectronic packages has been developed incorporating miniature heat pipes embedded in the ceramic substrate. The heat pipes use an axially grooved wick structure and water as the working fluid. Prototype substrate/heat pipe systems were fabricated using high temperature co-fired ceramic (alumina). The heat pipes were nominally 81 mm in length, 10 mm in width, and 4 mm in height, and were charged with approximately 50-80 mL of water. Platinum thick film heaters were fabricated on the surface of the substrate to simulate heat dissipating electronic components. Several thermocouples were affixed to the substrate to monitor temperature. One end of the substrate was affixed to a heat sink maintained at constant temperature. The prototypes were tested and shown to successful and reliably operate with thermal loads over 20 Watts, with thermal input from single and multiple sources along the surface of the substrate. Temperature distributions are discussed for the various configurations and the effective thermal resistance of the substrate/heat pipe system is calculated. Finite element analysis was used to support the experimental findings and better understand the sources of the system's thermal resistance.

The development and implementation of technologies that improves Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) system efficiency, including unique waste heat recovery methods, are sought while considering financial constraints and benefits. Recent studies have found that through the use of advanced waste heat recovery systems, it is possible to reduce building’s energy consumption by 30%. Oscillating heat pipes (OHP) exists as a serpentine-arranged capillary tube, possesses a desirable aerodynamic form factor, and provides for relatively high heat transfer rates via cyclic evaporation and condensation of an encapsulated working fluid with no internal wicking structure required. In last two decade, it has been extensively investigated for its potential application in thermal management of electronic devices. This dissertation focuses on the application of OHP in waste heat recovery systems. To achieve the goal, first a feasibility study is conducted by experimentally assessing a nine turn copper-made bare tube OHP in a typical HVAC ducting system with adjacent air streams at different temperatures. Second, for a prescribed temperature difference and volumetric flow rate of air, a multi-row finned OHP based Heat Recovery Ventilator (OHP-HRV) is designed and analyzed for the task of pre-conditioning the intake air. Additionally, the energy and cost savings analysis is performed specifically for the designed OHP-HRV system and potential cost benefits are demonstrated for various geographical regions within the United States. Finally, an atypically long finned OHP is experimentally investigated (F-OHP) under above prescribed operating condition. Helical fins are added to capillary size OHP tubes at a rate of 12 fins per inch (12 FPI), thereby increasing the heat transfer area by 433%. The coupled effect of fins and oscillation on the thermal performance of F-OHP is examined. Also, F-OHP’s thermal performance is compared with that of bare tube OHP of similar dimension and operating under similar condition. It was determined that OHP can be an effective waste heat recovery device in terms of operational cost, manufacturability, thermal and aerodynamic performance. Moreover, it was also determined that OHP-HRV can significantly reduce energy consumption of a commercial building, especially in the winter operation.

Passive and compact heat dissipation systems are and will remain vital for the successful operation of modern electronic systems. Oscillating heat pipes (OHPs) have been a part of this research area since their inception due to their ability to passively manage high heat fluxes. In the current investigation, different designs of tubular, flat plate, and multiple layer oscillating heat pipes are studied by using different operating parameters to investigate the operating limitations of each design. Furthermore, selective laser melting was demonstrated as a new OHP manufacturing technique and was used to create a compact multiple layer flat plate OHP. A 7-turn tubular oscillating heat pipe (T-OHP) was created and tested experimentally with three working fluids (water, acetone, and n-pentane) and different orientations (horizontal, vertical top heating, and vertical bottom heating). For vertical, T-OHP was tested with the condenser at 0°, 45° and 90° bend angle from the y-axis (achieved by bending the OHP in the adiabatic) in both bottom and top heating modes. The results show that T-OHP thermal performance depends on the bend angle, working fluid, and orientation. Another design of L-shape closed loop square microchannel (750 x 750 microns) copper heat pipe was fabricated from copper to create a thermal connector with thermal resistance < 0.09 ˚C/W for electronic boards. The TC-OHP was able to manage heat rates up to 250 W. A laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) additive manufacturing (AM) method was employed for fabricating a multi-layered, Ti-6Al-4V oscillating heat pipe (ML-OHP). The 50.8 x 38.1 x 15.75 mm3 ML-OHP consisted of four inter-connected layers of circular mini-channels, as well an integrated, hermetic-grade fill port. A series of experiments were conducted to characterize the ML-OHP thermal performance by varying power input (up to 50 W), working fluid (water, acetone, NovecTM 7200, and n-pentane), and operating orientation (vertical bottom-heating, horizontal, and vertical top-heating). The ML-OHP was found to operate effectively for all working fluids and orientations investigated, demonstrating that the OHP can function in a multi-layered form, and further indicating that one can ‘stack’ multiple, interconnected OHPs within flat media for increased thermal management.

In this thesis, a stacked double-layer flat plate oscillating heat pipe charged with degassed DI water was designed, fabricated and characterized under different operating conditions (orientation, system or cooling water temperature and heat load). The oscillating heat pipe was designed to dissipate 500 W within a footprint of 170 x 100 mm2. The oscillating heat pipe had a total of 46 channels (23 channels per layer) with a nominal diameter of 2 mm. Tests were performed to characterize the performance of the oscillating heat pipe for (i) axial heat transfer and (ii) as a heat spreader. The stacked oscillating heat pipe showed a distinctive feature in that it overcame the absence of the gravity effect when operated in a horizontal orientation. The thermal performance was found to be greatly dependent on the operational parameters. The oscillating heat pipe was able to dissipate a heat load greater than 500 W without any indication of dry-out. An increase in the cooling water temperature enhanced the performance and was accompanied with an increase in the on/off oscillation ratio. The lowest thermal resistance of 0.06 K/W was achieved at 500 W with a 50℃ cooling water temperature, with a corresponding evaporator heat transfer coefficient of 0.78 W/cm2K. The oscillating heat pipe improved the heat spreading capability when locally heated at the middle and end locations. The thermal performance was enhanced by 27 percent and 21 percent, respectively, when compared to a plain heat spreader. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)