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CFD Analysis of Cryogenic Pulsating Heat Pipe with Near Critical Diameter under Varying Gravity Conditions

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Abstract

Numerical simulation of 2D Cryogenic Pulsating Heat Pipe (CPHP) is carried out with near critical diameter. Liquid nitrogen is used as working fluid for targeting cryogenic applications in the range from 77 to 123 K. The volume of fluid (VOF) model is considered for two phase simulations. The evaporator and condenser section are kept at constant wall temperature condition while adiabatic section is considered insulated. The evaporator temperature varied from 85 to 110 K and condenser section kept at 75 K. The filling ratio (FR) of working fluid is varied as 50, 60 and 70%. CPHP model is first tested with on ground gravity condition of 9.81 m/s2. It is then tested with low gravity conditions (0.981 m/s2) and milli-gravity condition (0.01 m/s2). In low gravity condition, surface tension force is observed more dominant than body force which significantly altered the performance of a CPHP. In comparisons with ground level condition, more stable flow patterns are observed which led to the improved heat transfer performance of a CPHP in case of low gravity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Surat, Gujarat, India

    Kalpak R. Sagar, H. B. Naik & Hemantkumar B. Mehta

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  1. Kalpak R. Sagar
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  2. H. B. Naik
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  3. Hemantkumar B. Mehta
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Correspondence to Hemantkumar B. Mehta.

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Special issue: “Two-phase flows in microchannels: hydrodynamics, heat and mass transfer, chemical reactions”. Edited by R.Sh. Abiev

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Kalpak R. Sagar, Naik, H.B. & Mehta, H.B. CFD Analysis of Cryogenic Pulsating Heat Pipe with Near Critical Diameter under Varying Gravity Conditions. Theor Found Chem Eng 54, 64–76 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0040579520010212

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