The effects of the noncondensable gas in the heat pipes
Abstract
In the heat pipe, a heat transfer device with a highly effective thermal conductivity, the continuous evaporation and condensation of its working fluids are taking place. The performance of heat pipes depends considerably on the concentration of the noncondensable gas in the vapor. In this report, the solution of the problem of evaporation and condensation in the presence of noncondensable gas in the vapor is presented from the kinetic point of view. The linearized GK model equations are used for analyzing the problem. For solving these equations, the finite element method is applied. As a result it is demonstrated that the small bulk concentration of the noncondensable gas can have decisive effect on the mass transfer rate. For instance, a bulk mass fraction equal to 5% of noncondensable gas reduces the condensing flux to 20% of the condensation rate for the pure vapor.
- Publication:
-
11th International Symposium on Space Technology and Science
- Pub Date:
- 1975
- Bibcode:
- 1975spte.symp..385M
- Keywords:
-
- Gas Dynamics;
- Heat Pipes;
- Noncondensable Gases;
- Distribution Functions;
- Dynamic Models;
- Evaporation Rate;
- Finite Element Method;
- Gas Density;
- Heat Transfer;
- Kinetic Equations;
- Mass Transfer;
- Temperature Distribution;
- Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer