Fluid flow in polygonal micro heat pipes

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

1-1-2010

Abstract

Micro heat pipes have been used to cool microelectronic devices, but their heat transfer coefficients are low compared with those of conventional heat pipes. A typical micro heat pipe has a long and narrow cavity of polygonal cross section. A long vapor bubble occupies the center of the cavity, while the liquid fills the rest. As one end of the pipe is heated, the liquid evaporates and increases the vapor pressure. The higher pressure drives the vapor to the cold end where the vapor condenses and releases the latent heat. The condensate moves along the liquid-filled corners of the pipe back to the hot end to complete the cycle. Since the pipe is long, the vapor and liquid flow almost uni-directionally along most part of the pipe. We have developed a finite-difference method to solve for the coupled flows. To validate the numerical code, we modify the flow geometry so that analytic solutions can be obtained for the axial velocity and compared with the numerical results. The analytic solutions and the finite-difference method are described and their results compared. We find good agreement for the volume flow rate and the velocity profile, thus validating the numerical method. Copyright © 2010 by ASME.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Proceedings (IMECE)

First Page

1249

Last Page

1254

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