Numerical modeling of heat transfer in a two-phase closed thermosyphon.

Heat pipe technology is widely applied in the heat transfer systems of many equipment. Two-phase closed thermosyphon (TPCT) is one of the heat pipes which could work with the help of natural gravity. TPCT is adopted in many occasions, such as the waste heat recovery system, the ground source heat pumps, the preservation of permafrost and the de-icing of roadways. In this paper, a comprehensive numerical model is established to describe the condensation and evaporation of thermosyphon. The volume of fluid (VOF) model is employed to describe the interface between vapor and liquid phases. The predicted temperature distribution on the thermosyphon wall agreed well with the published experimental data in the trend.