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Current Trends in Wick Structure Construction in Loop Heat Pipes Applications: A Review
Pawel Szymanski1, Dariusz Mikielewicz1, Sasan Fooladpanjeh2
1Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Ship Technology, Gdansk University of Technology, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|August 26, 2022
Summary
Loop heat pipes (LHPs) utilize wick structures for effective thermal management in electronics. Composite and additively manufactured wicks offer superior heat transfer coefficients compared to conventional designs.
Area of Science:
- Thermal Engineering
- Materials Science
- Electronics Cooling
Background:
- Thermal control systems are crucial for electronic device performance.
- Loop heat pipes (LHPs) are efficient passive two-phase heat transfer devices with diverse applications.
- Wick structures are vital for LHP performance, yet design parameters require comprehensive review.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and classify advancements in LHP wick structure design and fabrication.
- To analyze the impact of wick structure parameters on thermal transmission.
- To identify optimal wick designs for enhanced heat transfer in LHPs.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and analysis of existing studies on LHP wick structures.
- Classification of different wick designs and fabrication techniques.
- Comparative analysis of heat transfer performance based on wick characteristics.
Main Results:
- Composite and additively manufactured wicks demonstrate higher heat transfer coefficients.
- Wick structure design and size significantly influence thermal transmission efficiency.
- Conventional wick structures show limitations in achieving optimal thermal performance.
Conclusions:
- LHPs with advanced wick structures, particularly composite and additively manufactured ones, offer superior thermal management.
- Future research should focus on optimizing wick materials and geometry for enhanced heat transfer.
- Structurally efficient wicks are key to maximizing heat transfer through LHPs.
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