Thermo Hydraulic Analysis of a Heat Pipe Using ANSYS Fluent

Abstract: Miniaturization, Integration of functionality and speed increase are recognized as business drivers in electronics industry today. The aspects increase power dissipation, high temperatures and affects reducing sizes because of limitations in cooling techniques. Heat pipes come handy in these situations as they operate with highest heat conductance compared to any other mode of heat transfer and available over wide range of parameters. It consists of an evaporative section, adiabatic section, and condensing section. The working fluids generally used are water, ethanol, acetone, sodium, and mercury. Various applications include heat exchanges in electrical and electronic equipment, air-conditioners, refrigerators, heat exchangers, transistors, capacitors, ovens, furnaces, production tools, transportation etc. Heat pipes are also used in laptops to reduce the working temperature for better efficiency. Their application in the field of cryogenics is very significant, especially in the development of space technology.