Thermal Analysis of a Micro Heat Pipe

A detailed mathematical model is developed in which the heat and mass transfer processes in a micro heat pipe (MHP) are examined. The model describes the distribution of the liquid in a MHP and its thermal characteristics depending upon the liquid charge and the applied heat load. The liquid flow in the triangular-shaped corners of a MHP with polygonal cross section is considered by accounting for the variation of the curvature of the free liquid surface and the interfacial shear stresses due to a liquid-vapor frictional interaction. The predicted results obtained are compared to existing experimental data. The importance of the liquid fill, minimum wetting contact angle, and the shear stresses at the liquid-vapor interface in predicting the maximum heat transfer capacity and thermal resistance of the MHP is demonstrated.