Phase change driving mechanism and modeling for heat pipe with porous wick

According to heat pipe theory, capillary force is the only driving force for the circle of working fluid in heat pipe with porous wick. By developing a simulating circuit of liquid and vapor flow in heat pipe with porous wick, this paper presents a new driving mechanism which is from phase change of fluid. Furthermore, by analyzing transport process of working fluid between evaporation and condensation interfaces, a mathematical model is developed to describe this driving mechanism. Besides, calculating examples are given for heat pipe with water as working fluid to predict its driving force and flow resistance. By applying the model presented in the paper, thermal design and calculation for heat pipe with porous wick, especially for miniature heat pipe, can be made correctly, and phase change driving mechanism of working fluid can be explained, which thereby leads to a better understanding of heat transfer limitation of heat pipe with porous wick.