A study of techniques for the thermal conductance control of pulsating heat pipes

• Grant number: 21/03632-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2021
• End date: July 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Thermal Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Cristiano Bigonha Tibirica
• Grantee: Kauan Pires Quevedo
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 16/09509-1 - Phase change heat transfer processes of high performance applied to solar energy recovery, AP.TEM

Abstract

This undergraduate student research project aims to improve the knowledge about pulsating heat pipes studied by the Heat Transfer Research Group of the Mechanical Engineering Department from EESC/USP in the context of a FAPESP thematic project "Phase change heat transfer processes of high performance applied to solar energy recovery", (proc.n. 2016 / 09509-1). Pulsating heat pipes are a specific type of heat pipe in which it is not necessary the use an individual capillary structure for the liquid phase to return to the evaporator. In these devices, the return of the liquid phase occurs through oscillatory movements of the liquid phase, due to the nucleation and condensation forces, which become important when using small diameter tubes. The objective of this project is the study of methods for controlling the thermal conductance of these devices. For this purpose, an existing pulsating heat pipe test facility will be modified, in which thermal conductance control devices will be installed. This test facility is equipped with temperature and pressure transducers, an infrared camera, and a high-speed camera. Thermal resistances will be measured in order to quantify how effective was the method used to control the thermal performance of the pulsating heat pipe.