Numerical simulation of potassium heat pipe based on porous medium model

The numerical simulation of the potassium heat pipe was performed for the purpose of researching the heat and mass transfer mechanisms inside the heat pipe. A three-phase conjugate mathematical model was built for the heat pipe. And the porous medium model was used in the wick region. The effect of liquid flow on heat transfer performance was considered. The mathematical model was solved by PHOENICS3.6 to acquire the steady state operation parameter inside the heat pipe. The heat and mass transfer mechanisms were obtained from analyzing the simulation results. The simulation results are in good agreement with experiment data. (authors)