• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.194-201
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• 1998

In electric commuter trains using AC motors, lots of GTO thyristors and diodes are needed for power controls. These semiconductors generate heat about 1~2 kW, and for cooling which perfluorocarbon(PFC) heat pipes have been in use for the last two decades. The present study was investigated on the effects of such important design parameters as structure of internal surface (grooved or smooth), fill charge ratio, and inclinating angle from a vertical on heat transfer coefficients at both evaporators and condensers. To obtain experimental data, several heat pipes of the same geometry of 520 mm long and diameter of 15.88 mm but different in fill charge ratio and internal surface structure were designed and fabricated. For prediction of the heat transfer coefficients, related expressions were examined and the results of calculations were compared with experimental data. Performance tests were conducted while heat pipes operated at mode of thermosyphons. High enhancements of heat transfer coefficient were obtained internal grooves. In these cases, the evaporating heat transfer coefficients distributed in the range of 2~5.5 kW/$m^2$K, with an increase of heat flux from 15~45 kW/$m^2$. These experimental data were in good agreement with Rohsenow's expression based on nucleate boiling when correction factor $C_R$=1.3 was encountered. In addition, the condensation heat transfer coefficients were distributed from 1.5 to 3.5 kW/$m^2$K, and the data were in good agreements with Nusselt's correlation, based on filmwise condensation on vertical plate, when choosing a correction factor $C_N=4$. A fill charge ratio of 40~100% were recommended, and the in clination angle effects were negligible when the angle was higher then 30$^{\circ}$.