Heat pipe based systems - Advances and applications

• Published in: Energy (Oxford) Vol. 128; pp. 729 - 754
• Main Authors: Jouhara, H., Chauhan, A., Nannou, T., Almahmoud, S., Delpech, B., Wrobel, L.C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2017; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Automobile industry; Automotive engineering; Automotive parts; Casing; Ceramics; Computational fluid dynamics; Computer simulation; Cost analysis; Energy efficiency; Heat pipe heat exchangers; Heat pipes; Heat transfer; High temperature; Hybrid systems; Industrial applications; Low temperature; Mathematical models; Modelling; Modules; Nanoparticles; Newtonian fluids; Non Newtonian fluids; Pipes; Simulation; Simulation analysis; Studies; Temperature effects; Thermal analysis; Thermoelectricity; Thermosyphon; Wicks; Working fluids; Wicks; Thermosyphon; Heat pipes; Heat pipe heat exchangers
• ISSN: 0360-5442; 1873-6785
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2017.04.028

Heat pipes are becoming increasingly popular as passive heat transfer technologies due to their high efficiency. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art applications, materials and performance of current heat pipe devices. The paper is divided into four main parts; low temperature heat pipes, high temperature heat pipes, thermal modelling of heat pipes and discussion. The low and high temperature sections present an extended list with suitable working fluids and operating temperatures, along with their compatibility with casing materials. Furthermore, the sections focus on some of the most widespread industrial applications, such as solar, nanoparticles, Rankine cycles, nuclear, thermoelectric modules and ceramics, in which heat pipe technologies offer many key advantages over conventional practises. The third part of the paper consists of a thorough analysis of the thermal modelling side of heat pipes. Internal and external thermal modelling techniques, theories and methodologies are presented in this section, for various applications such as non-Newtonian fluids, nano-fluids, solar, geothermal, automotive, hybrid storage and nuclear systems. The final part of the paper discusses the limitations of heat pipes and the reasons why they are not implemented in more aspects of our lives. Operational limitations, cost concerns and the lack of detailed theoretical and simulation analysis of heat pipes are some of the point covered in this section. Finally, some of the recent and future developments in the field are discussed. •A comprehensive review on the heat pipe technology in the literature is included.•The current state of the art for this technology is included and detailed.•The potential for this technology is illustrated with sample real case studies.