Pulsating heat pipe (PHP), or oscillating heat pipe (OHP), a novel type of highly efficient heat transfer component, has been widely applied in many fields, such as in space-borne two-phase thermal control systems, in the cooling of electronic devices and in energy-saving technology, etc. In the present paper, the characteristics and working principles of the PHPs are introduced and the current researches in the field are described from the viewpoint of experimental tests, theoretical analyses as well as practical applications. Besides, it is found that the state-of-the-art experimental investigations on the PHPs are mainly focused on the flow visualization and the applications of nanofluids and other functional fluids, aiming at enhancing the heat transfer performance of the PHPs. In addition, it is also pointed out that the present theoretical analyses of the PHP are restricted by further development of two-phase flow theories, and are concentrated in the non-linear analyses. Numerical simulations are expected to be another research focus, in particular of the combination of the nanofluids and functional fluids.
Corresponding Author(s):
JU Yonglin,Email:yju@sjtu.edu.cn
引用本文:
. A review of recent experimental investigations and theoretical analyses for pulsating heat pipes[J]. Frontiers in Energy, 2013, 7(2): 161-173.
Xin TANG, Lili SHA, Hua ZHANG, Yonglin JU. A review of recent experimental investigations and theoretical analyses for pulsating heat pipes. Front Energ, 2013, 7(2): 161-173.
Open/Closed loop, flow path geometry is circular, 20 parallel channels, ID 2 mm
R142b
One of the earliest flow visualization experiments on PHPs.
Hosoda et al. [25]
Glass
Closed loop, circular, 20 parallel channels, ID 1.2 mm
water
The propagation procession of vapor bubbles and a numerical simulation of oscillating were reported, and the PHP performed beat at a charge ratio of 60%.
Lee et al. [26]
Brass, Acrylic
Closed loop, rectangular channel geometry, 8 parallel channels, ID 1.5 mm
Ethanol
The generation and extinction of bubbles resulted in the oscillation movement. Most active oscillation is observed in bottom heating mode with a charge ratio of 40-60%.
Tong et al. [27]
Pyrex glass
Closed loop, circular,14 parallel numbers, ID 1.8 mm
Methanol
Circulation was observed, and increasing heat input led to the circulation velocity. The circulation directions were random, which could be clockwise or counter-clockwise.
Cai et al. [28]
Quartz, Copper
Closed, open loop, circular, 12 and 50 parallel channels, ID 2.2, 2.4 mm
Ethanol, water, acetone, ethanol, ammonia
Evaporation and boiling in thin liquid film on the evaporator wall and generation and collapse of tiny bubbles suspended in the liquid slug were observed. Fluids with low latent heats are recommended to promote oscillatory motion.
Khandekar et al. [29]
Glass/copper
Closed loop, circular, 10 parallel channels, ID 2 mm
Water, ethanol
Effect of gravity is negligible. Bubble formation and collapse are discussed.
Khandekar, et al. [30]
Pyrex glass
Closed loop, circular, 10 parallel channels, ID 2 mm
R-123
An empirical correlation was proposed. Flow oscillates with low amplitude/ high frequency at horizontal mode.
Khandekar and Groll [31]
Glass/copper
Closed loop, circular, 2 parallel channels, ID 2 mm
Ethanol
PHP did not operate in the horizontal mode. Different ranges of heat input resulted in different flow patterns.
Xu et al. [32]
Glass/copper
Closed loop, circular, 8 parallel channels, ID 2 mm
Water, methanol
High-speed flow visualization results were presented. There existed the bulk circulation flow, which lasts longer and the local flow direction switch flow.
Qu and Ma [33]
Glass
Closed loop, circular, 4 parallel channels, ID 3 mm
Water
A theoretical analysis was conducted to determine the primary factors affecting the startup characteristics of a PHP. The startup visualization was applied to aid the investigation.
Sakulchangsatjatai et al. [34]
Pyrex glass
Closed end, circular, number of turns 2, ID 2 mm
R123
With the help of a visualization study, a mathematical model that could efficiently represent the behavior of the working fluid in a CEPHP in an inclined position was proposed.
Chen et al. [35]
Glass
Closed loop, flow path geometry is circular, ID 2 mm, the number of parallel channels is 10
Deionized water
Flow visualization was carried out for better understanding of the mechanism of PHP along with the mathematical model proposed.
Lin et al. [8]
PDMS
Closed loop, flow path geometry is circular, ID 2 mm, 12 parallel channels
Methanol, ethanol, water
The flow visualization of PDMS PHP with three different working fluids was conducted.
Yang et al. [9]
Aluminum, transparent polycarbonate plate
Closed loop, flow path geometry is rectangle, the number of parallel channels 40/60
Ethanol
Four typical flow modes were observed.
Khandekar et al. [11]
Copper, glass
Closed loop, flow path geometry is circular, ID 2mm, number of turns is 2
Ethanol
Four quasi-steady states, each characterized by a unique specific tow-phase flow pattern and corresponding effective device conductance, were observed.
Lips et al. [12]
Glass
Closed loop, flow path geometry is circular, ID 2.4mm, single tube
Pentane
The visualization of a single branch of a PHP, of which the test section was adiabatic or non-adiabatic, was conducted. The main heat transfer mechanism was discussed.
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