Experimental investigation, CFD and theoretical modeling of two-phase heat transfer in a three-leg multi-channel heat pipe

Muti-channel flat heat pipe is an innovative technology recently used at the rear of photovoltaic cells to absorb and reuse wasted heat. To better understand fundamentals two-phase transfer (boiling condensation) taking place inside multi-channel pipes, a unique three-leg has been built. This one-of-a-kind was develop both computational fluid dynamic (CFD) theoretical models pipe. simulate operation with ANSYS Fluent, Volume Fluid (VOF) approach Lee model were investigated. Different types using user defined function (UDF) compared influence condenser's boundary condition, saturation temperature, mass coefficient on simulations studied. For first time, major limits for simulation pipes are identified. It concluded that available cannot predict temperature as it shows low physical meaning can easily be manipulated adjust simulation's results. Based experimental data, new developed uses thermal-electrical resistance analogy thermal resistance. By selecting optimum correlations pool boiling filmwise condensation, iterative able error 8.2%.