Flow and heat transfer characteristics in the porous wick condenser of CPL

An analytical investigation has been conducted to understand the internal fluid flow and heat transfer in the condenser with porous wick of an innovative capillary pumping loop (CPL) system. A mathematical model is proposed and used to describe the flow and heat transfer, especially interfacial transport phenomena. The liquid-vapor interface of the condensed liquid film was numerically determined. Some factors, such as vapor pressure, wall subcooling, wall heat load and thermofluid properties, have significant influence on the heat transfer process and the shape of liquid-vapor interface. Meanwhile, an experimental facility was setup and an experimental investigation was completed. Theoretical prediction and experimental results show quite good consistence.