Heat Pipe Design and Technology: Modern Applications for Practical Thermal Management

This book provides a practical study of modern heat pipe engineering, discussing how it can be optimized for use on a wider scale. An introduction to operational and design principles, this book offers a review of heat and mass transfer theory relevant to performance, leading into and exploration of the use of heat pipes, particularly in high-heat flux applications and in situations in which there is any combination of non-uniform heat loading, limited airflow over the heat generating components, and space or weight constraints. Key implementation challenges are tackled, including load-balancing, materials characteristics, operating temperature ranges, thermal resistance, and operating orientation. With its presentation of mathematical models to calculate heat transfer limitations and temperature gradient of both high- and low-temperature heat pipes, the book compares calculated results with the available experimental data. It also includes a series of computer programs developed by the author to support presented data, aid design, and predict performance. Revised edition of classic resource now includes all new practical examples, added chapters on leading-edge applications of heat pipes in aerospace, nuclear and solar systems Features complete coverage of this foundational technology, a proven energy-saving solution for passive thermal control New examination of numerical investigation of hydrodynamics and thermal performance of specially configured heat pipes for high-temperature thermal energy storage systems.