CFD modeling of phase change heat transfer behaviors in thermosyphons

A computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model based on the volume of fluid (VOF) multiphase model and an improved phase change model were developed to simulate the phase change heat transfer process in thermosyphons at steady state, and the modeling results were validated by measuring wall temperature distribution and visualization experiments. Besides, the influence of filling ratio (FRs) on the evaporation-condensation behavior in thermosyphons was analyzed. The results show that this CFD model can reproduce both the vaporization and condensation processes well. The predicted temperature distribution show better consistency with experimental results using the improved phase change model, the maximum deviation of average temperature at different sections being 10.2 K with a relative deviation of 2.9%. Furthermore, the predicted flow regimes are generally in agreement with the observed phenomenon in visualization testing. Filmwise condensation is the main heat transfer mode at condenser area in thermosyphons which is not affected by FRs. However, the variation of FRs considerably affects the heat transfer behavior at evaporator and thus changes the heat transfer performance of thermosyphons. This study is conducive for understanding the operating mechanism of thermosyphons and meanwhile provides some guidance for its CFD modeling.