A two-dimensional model is presented to predict the overall heat transfer capability for a sintered wick structure. The model considers the absence of bulk fluid at the top surface of the wick, heat conduction resistance through the wick, capillary limitation, and the onset of nucleate boiling. The numerical results show that thin film evaporation occurring only at the top surface of a wick plays an important role in the enhancement of evaporating heat transfer and depends on the thin film evaporation, the particle size, the porosity, and the wick structure thickness. By decreasing the average particle radius, the evaporation heat transfer coefficient can be enhanced. Additionally, there exists an optimum characteristic thickness for maximum heat removal. The maximum superheat allowable for thin film evaporation at the top surface of a wick is presented to be a function of the particle radius, wick porosity, wick structure thickness, and effective thermal conductivity. In order to verify the theoretical analysis, an experimental system was established, and a comparison with the theoretical prediction conducted. Results of the investigation will assist in optimizing the heat transfer performance of sintered porous media in heat pipes and better understanding of thin film evaporation.
Skip Nav Destination
e-mail: mhanlon@aperionenergy.com
e-mail: mah@missouri.edu
Article navigation
Technical Papers
Evaporation Heat Transfer in Sintered Porous Media
M. A. Hanlon,
e-mail: mhanlon@aperionenergy.com
M. A. Hanlon
Aperion Energy Systems, Inc., 398 Dix Road, Suite 102, Jefferson City, MO 65109
Search for other works by this author on:
H. B. Ma
e-mail: mah@missouri.edu
H. B. Ma
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Missouri—Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211
Search for other works by this author on:
M. A. Hanlon
Aperion Energy Systems, Inc., 398 Dix Road, Suite 102, Jefferson City, MO 65109
e-mail: mhanlon@aperionenergy.com
H. B. Ma
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Missouri—Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211
e-mail: mah@missouri.edu
Contributed by the Heat Transfer Division for publication in the JOURNAL OF HEAT TRANSFER. Manuscript received by the Heat Transfer Division March 11, 2002; revision received November 1, 2002. Associate Editor: H. Bau.
J. Heat Transfer. Aug 2003, 125(4): 644-652 (9 pages)
Published Online: July 17, 2003
Article history
Received:
March 11, 2002
Revised:
November 1, 2002
Online:
July 17, 2003
Citation
Hanlon, M. A., and Ma, H. B. (July 17, 2003). "Evaporation Heat Transfer in Sintered Porous Media ." ASME. J. Heat Transfer. August 2003; 125(4): 644–652. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1560145
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
Cited By
Related Articles
Temperature Response of Heat Transport in a Micro Heat Pipe
J. Heat Transfer (May,1999)
Transport in Passive, High Thermal, Conductivity Heat Spreaders
J. Heat Transfer (August,2011)
A Semi-Analytical Model to Predict the Capillary Limit of Heated Inclined Triangular Capillary Grooves
J. Heat Transfer (February,2002)
Utilization of Advanced Working Fluids With Biporous Evaporators
J. Thermal Sci. Eng. Appl (June,2011)
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Chapters
Energy Balance for a Swimming Pool
Electromagnetic Waves and Heat Transfer: Sensitivites to Governing Variables in Everyday Life
Thermal Interface Resistance
Thermal Management of Microelectronic Equipment
How to Use this Book
Thermal Spreading and Contact Resistance: Fundamentals and Applications