Journal of Research in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics ISSN: 3107-4510 (Online)

Authors: Babu E R, G V Gnanendra Reddy

Abstract: Pulsating heat pipe is an effective method of heat transfer through passive two phase mechanism. In the present research work, experimental studies were performed on pulsating heat pipe made up of copper tube having inner diameters of 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 mm respectively. The pulsating heat pipe is charged with acetone as working fluid with different filling ratios of 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, and 90% of its volume. The evaporator zone is electrically heated by means of mica heater with a range of 20 to 80W and condenser section is cooled by means of constant flow cooling water. The effect of filling ratio and tube diameter on thermal performance of closed loop pulsating heat pipe was investigated and the results shows that, for 2 mm and 1.5 mm inner diameter gives better performance compared to other tube diameters. The thermal resistance obtained have a lower value of 0.40 0K/W and 0.45 0K/W for 2 mm and 1.5 mm diameter respectively. It is also observed that the operation of pulsating heat pipe enhances at a filling ratio of 60% for all the tube diameters considered.

Keywords: Heat pipe, Acetone, Filling ratio, Tube diameter and Heat input.etc