Performance characteristics of gravity-assisted aluminum extruded heat pipes

Experimental investigation of the heat transfer characteristics of gravity-assisted aluminum extruded heat pipes has been carried out. Relatively high rates of heat transfer have been achieved operating in this manner, with heat pipes containing simple and inexpensive wick and Freon-12 (R-12) as working fluid. The operating temperature, the tilt angle and the length of the heat pipe have been used as parameters. As a result of experimental investigation it can be stated that axial grooved aluminum heat pipes can be used to achieve some inexpensive and compact heat exchangers in waste heat recovery systems at low temperature.