Shuang-Ying Wu*, Bao-Xi Cao, Lan Xiao and You-Rong Li
The Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, vol. 26, no. 3, pp.973-981, 2012

Abstract : By establishing an axial symmetric invariable temperature phase change interface model of porous wick evaporator based on alkali metal thermal-to-electric converter (AMTEC), a parametric study has been implemented to explore the impact of effective thermal conductivity model, working fluid, wick material, porosity and particle size of porous wick on the flow and heat transfer characteristics. The results indicate that the inner surface temperature profile of wick is closely dependent on effective thermal conductivity models; it is the minimum for series model while the highest for parallel model. The inner surface temperature of wick with Na-K alloy as working fluid is obviously lower than that with sodium or potassium as working fluid. The wick made of refractory ceramics makes the minimum of inner surface temperature, while the one with nickel appears the highest temperature. Increasing the porosity can reduce the pressure drop in the wick, but also increases the temperature of evaporator.

Keyword : Porous wick; Evaporator; Flow and heat transfer; Alkali metal thermal-to-electric converter (AMTEC); Parametric study