Investigation of the influence of capillary effect on operation of the loop heat pipe

Abstract

In the paper presented are studies on the investigation of the capillary forces effect induced in the porous structure of a loop heat pipe using water and ethanol ad test fluids. The potential application of such effect is for example in the evaporator of the domestic micro-CHP unit, where the reduction of pumping power could be obtained. Preliminary analysis of the results indicates water as having the best potential for developing the capillary effect.