Heat Transfer Characteristics of Thermosiphon Type Heat Pipe using Surfactant Aqueous Solution as Working Fluid

Abstract

Cooling characteristic of the thermosiphon type heat pipe by adding the surfactant to pure water is examined. Sodium myristate which has good hydrophilicity and foamability is used as a surfactant. The experimental results show reduction of total thermal resistance for surfactant solution is about 10~40 % with concentration of 30ppm compared to pure water. Reduction of thermal resistance of condenser is primal effect on the reduction of total thermal resistance. On the other hand, thermal resistance of evaporator is not changed with surfactant concentration so much compared to pure water. However, the start-up characteristic of heat pipe at low temperature operating condition is improved with addition of surfactant due to activated bubble formation.