Abstract
Heat-transfer characteristics of an evaporator of a miniature loop heat pipe (LHP), which had a FIFE porous wick filled with liquid fully, was analyzed on 3D. Pore network model (PNM) was used to simulate detailed liquid flow in the porous structure. Temperature and pressure fields of x-y, x-z, and y-z plane were presented. The results indicated that condensation at bottom of the grooves-wick interface occurred. The condensation behavior depended on the applied heat flux to the evaporator. The effect of the groove width on the evaporator heat-transfer coefficient and heat leak to a compensation chamber was clarified.
