Preliminary Multiparametric Validation of a Numerical Model for the Pulsating Heat Pipe Transient Simulation

A relatively new and emerging technology, Pulsating or oscillating Heat Pipes (PHP), is one of the cheapest and most reliable thermal management systems. However, since the phenomena that govern its functioning are not well understood, its industrial application is still far. In the last two decades many significant efforts have been done to develop numerical models of such devices, but just few of them are capable to perform a complete thermo-hydraulic simulation. One of the most sophisticated models present in literature is the code CASCO (French abbreviation for Advanced PHP simulation code), which reproduced, at least qualitatively, many physical phenomena observed in PHPs. Its preliminary validation is presented in this work. Experimental data has been collected during the 67th European Space Agency parabolic flight campaign. A large diameter PHP prototype has been tested at different power levels (18-200 W). Temperature measurements at several location of the device as well as infrared images of the fluid (in a sapphire section of the tube) were recorded. After implementing topology, geometrical features and material properties of the prototype into CASCO, transient simulations have been carried out. Temporal evolution of temperatures, liquid plugs’ velocity length and temperature distribution have been closely predicted by the model.