CFD modeling on fluid flow and heat transfer in a rotating heat pipe

A numerical model was built to simulate the ow and heat transfer phenomena during the operation of a rotating heat pipe (RHP). The volume of the uid (VOF) model was employed for the simulation of two phase ow as well as the heat and mass transfer process in the RHP. The dependence of saturated pressure on the operation temperature is considered. The performance of the RHP such as velocity field, phase distribution and the temperature contours are examined under different operation conditions. The results indicated that the RHP has an isothermal characteristic where a small axial thermal resistance is found. The overall thermal resistance increases with the increase of heat load imposed on the RHP. A relative low wall temperature is observed near the junction of the condensation section and the adiabatic section, indicating a large thermal resistance through the liquid lm in this region. It is concluded that CFD is a useful tool to model the model and explain the ow and heat transfer in a rotating heat pipe.