Thermal analysis of heat pipe shell-fin structures with selective coatings under radiation

The purpose of this study is to investigate the thermal response of a heat pipe shell-fin structure that is selectively coated and is subject to uneven radiation from upper and lower sides. Such a structure would arise when fins are attached to opposing sides of the condenser or evaporator section of heat pipes to enhance the heat transfer performance. Typical examples include radiators for space applications and solar energy collectors for water heating. The temperature distribution in the circumferential direction of the heat pipe shell as well as that in the fin is examined via theoretical modeling and numerical analysis. The model accounts for the effects of selective coatings. Both steady-state and transient solution procedures are presented. Examination of the steady-state results justifies the use of a thermally-lumped formulation for the heat pipe shell region. The effect of fin width is investigated as a typical design variable. The fin efficiency and the collector efficiency are also presented as functions of heat pipe operating temperature and fin widith. The influence of the surface properties on the thermal performance of the heat pipe shell-fin structure are also examined.