APPLICATION OF A GRAVITY-DRIVEN WICKLESS HEAT PIPE FOR ICE PRODUCTION IN A COLD ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM
Abstract
Due to the growing energy crisis, use of seasonal cold storage is now being considered for space cooling. The purpose of this research was to investigate the application of a gravity-driven wickless heat pipe for ice production in a cold energy storage system. A simplified analytical model, simulated by a computer program, was developed to predict the system performance. Experiments have also been performed in order to study the effects of various parameters on the ice formation. Parameters studied include the quantity of working fluid, condenser length, coolant inlet temperature, cooling time, type of working fluid, and inclination of the heat pipe. The experimental results illustrate the effects of these parameters on the volume and shape of the resulting ice formation and on the wall temperature distribution along the heat pipe. Evaporation and condensation phenomena within the heat pipe were investigated in terms of these experimental observations. The influence of natural convention on the geometry and structure of the ice are also discussed. The analytical model developed in this study was found to be adequate for predicting the rate of ice formation and the geometry associated with the ice-water interface, as was verified by comparisons with experimental observations.
Degree
Ph.D.
Subject Area
Mechanical engineering
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