Experimental evaluation of the thermal performance and capillary limit of a screen mesh heat pipe using SDBS and Al.sub.2O.sub.3-water-based nanofluids

• Published in: Journal of thermal analysis and calorimetry Vol. 147; no. 16; pp. 8841 - 8854
• Main Authors: Gallego, Anderson, Cacua, Karen, Herrera, Bernardo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Springer 01.08.2022
• Subjects: Alkylbenzene sulfonate; Aluminum compounds; Surface active agents
• ISSN: 1388-6150; 1588-2926
• DOI: 10.1007/s10973-021-11142-1

This study evaluates the effect of using alumina (Al.sub.2O.sub.3)-water nanofluids stabilized by sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) on the thermal performance and capillary limit of a screen mesh heat pipe. Nanofluids were prepared using three Al.sub.2O.sub.3 concentrations (0.1 mass/%, 0.5 mass/%, and 1.0 mass/%) and two SDBS concentrations (0.064 mass/% and 0.32 mass/%). The stability of the nanofluids was studied by means of UV-absorbance measurements prior to the experimental test. The results show that the thermal resistance of the heat pipe decreased by up to 50% with Al.sub.2O.sub.3 and SDBS at concentrations of 0.5 mass/% and 0.32 mass/%, respectively. Nevertheless, the capillary limit was reduced between 25 and 45 W compared to the operation with water. Finally, the capillary limit was improved by 5 W (compared to water) using an Al.sub.2O.sub.3 concentration of 0.1 mass/% and no surfactant.