The thermal characteristics of a closed two-phase thermosyphon at low temperature difference

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Abstract

The applications of closed two-phase thermosyphons are increasing in heat recovery systems because of their high effective conductivity. However, their range of application is limited by the need for some minimum temperature difference between the evaporator and condenser sections to initiate nucleate boiling. In the project described, the steady state heat transfer characteristics for vertical two-phase closed thermosyphons at low temperature differences with R11, R22, and water as working fluid were studied experimentally. From these experimental results, the minimum temperature differences required to initiate and sustain boiling in the low temperature thermosyphons have been established for the above working fluids. A method for improving the performance at low temperature difference was devised on the basis of a thermal triggering system. Triggering could also be achieved by mechanical vibration.

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