Development, Manufacturing and Testing of a Gas-Loaded Variable Conductance Methanol Heat Pipe

摘要

The paper presents the experimental technology required to measure the performance of moderate temperature heat pipes. The heat pipe manufacturing process is described also. The hydrodynamic characteristics of the porous structure inside the heat pipe envelope were examined using a specially developed test rig (described), based upon a steady-state evaporation test. A fully automated test facility was developed and validated by testing constant conductance and variable conductance heat pipes. Theoretical performance predictions are illustrated in terms of pressure, depicted in 3D-plots, and compared with the test results of the heat pipe performance tests.