Pulsating heat pipe (PHP) is a two-phase heat transfer device, and the start-up characteristics plays a crucial role in its practical application and stable operating performance. This paper introduced the start-up principle of PHP and reviewed the influences of the cross-sectional shape, the physical property parameters and the external field action (i.e., magnetic field, ultrasonic wave etc.) on the starting characteristics of PHP. Based on the results of present literature, the pressure distributions in PHP with non-circular channel section or irregular channel are uneven, which easily form an oscillation cycle motion and is beneficial to the efficient operation of PHP. Simultaneously, the fluids with high thermal conductivity, low dynamic viscosity and low surface tension (such as nano-fluid, deionised water, etc.) are more conductive to starting characteristics of PHP. In addition, reviewed studies reported that as an active heat transfer enhancement method, external field has great potential in terms of enhancing heat transfer and controlling the heat transfer process.

脉动热管（PHP）是一种两相传热装置，其启动特性对其实际应用和稳定的运行性能起着至关重要的作用。本文介绍了PHP的启动原理，并综述了截面形状，物理特性参数和外部场作用（即磁场，超声波等）对PHP启动特性的影响。根据现有文献的结果，非圆形通道截面或不规则通道的PHP压力分布不均匀，容易形成振荡循环运动，有利于PHP的高效运行。同时，具有高导热率，低动态粘度和低表面张力的流体（例如纳米流体，去离子水等）。）更有利于PHP的启动特性。另外，回顾的研究报告说，作为一种有效的传热增强方法，外场在增强传热和控制传热过程方面具有巨大潜力。