AN INVESTIGATION OF FLAT-PLATE OSCILLATING HEAT PIPES

The heat transfer performance of flat-plate oscillating heat pipes (FP-OHPs) was investigated experimentally and theoretically. Two layers of channels were created by machining grooves on both sides of copper plate, in order to increase the channel number per unit volume. The channels had rectangular cross-sections with hydraulic diameters ranging from 0.762 mm to 1.389 mm. Acetone, water and diamond/acetone, gold/water and diamond/water nanofluids were tested as working fluids. it was found that the FP-OHP's thermal resistance depended on the power input and operating temperature. The FP-OHP charged with pure water achieved a thermal resistance of 0.078 degrees C/W while removing 560 W with a heat flux of 86.8 W/cm(2). The thermal resistance was further decreased when nanofluid was used as the working fluid. A mathematical model predicting the heat transfer performance was developed to predict the effects of channel dimension, heating mode, working fluid and operating temperature on the thermal performance of the FP-OHP. Results presented here will assist in optimization of the FP-OHP and provide a better understanding of heat transfer mechanisms occurring in an OHPs.