Experimental Study of Thermal Performance of Nanofluid-Filled and Nanoparticles-Coated Mesh Wick Heat Pipes

The enhancements in thermal performance of mesh wick heat pipe (HP) using TiO₂/H₂O nanofluid (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 vol %) as working fluid for different (50, 100, and 150 W) power input were investigated. Results showed maximum 17.2% reduction in thermal resistance and maximum 13.4% enhancement in thermal efficiency of HP using 1.0 vol % nanofluid as compared to water. The wick surface of the HP was then coated with TiO₂ nanoparticles by physical vapor deposition method. The experimental investigation had been also carried out on coated wick HP using water as working fluid. Results showed 12.1% reduction in thermal resistance and 11.9% enhancement in thermal efficiency of the HP as compared to uncoated wick HP using water. Temporal deteriorations in thermal performance during prolonged working (2, 4, and 6 months) of HP were also studied. Temporal deterioration in thermal performance of HP filled with nanofluid depends upon the deterioration in thermophysical properties of nanofluids. The deterioration is due to the agglomeration and sedimentation of nanoparticles with respect to the time. Comparative study shows that after a certain time of operation, thermal performance of HP with nanoparticle coated wick superseded that of the HP filled with nanofluid. Therefore, nanoparticle coating might be a good substitute for nanofluid to avoid the stability issues. The present paper provides incentives for further research to develop nanofluids that avoid the encountered sedimentation or agglomeration.