Steady-state analytical model of a loop heat pipe
Résumé
A steady-state analytical model has been developed to determine the thermohydraulic behaviour of a loop heat pipe. Its originality lies in the combination of energy balance equations for each component of the system with analytical solutions for the temperature field in the evaporator. Based on Fourier series expansions, heat transfer in the wick as well as in the evaporator casing are accurately modelled. This model has been validated with a set of experimental data from the literature. A good agreement has been found between the simulation and experimental results. This analytical method offers a simple solution that can be implemented in LHP design analysis without the need of large computational resources.