Study of a loop heat pipe using neutron radiography

John M Cimbala; Jack S Brenizer; Abel Po-Ya Chuang; Shane Hanna; C Thomas Conroy; A A El-Ganayni; David R Riley

doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2004.03.104

Study of a loop heat pipe using neutron radiography

Appl Radiat Isot. 2004 Oct;61(4):701-5. doi: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2004.03.104.

Authors

John M Cimbala¹, Jack S Brenizer, Abel Po-Ya Chuang, Shane Hanna, C Thomas Conroy, A A El-Ganayni, David R Riley

Affiliation

¹ Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, 234 Reber Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA. jmc6@psu.edu

PMID: 15246420
DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2004.03.104

Abstract

An explanation is given of what a loop heat pipe (LHP) is, and how it works. It is then shown that neutron imaging (both real time neutron radioscopy and single exposure neutron radiography) is an effective experimental tool for the study of LHPs. Specifically, neutron imaging has helped to identify and correct a cooling water distribution problem in the condenser, and has enabled visualization of two-phase flow (liquid and vapor) in various components of the LHP. In addition, partial wick dry-out, a phenomenon of great importance in the effective operation of LHPs, is potentially identifiable with neutron imaging. It is anticipated that neutron radioscopy and radiography will greatly contribute to our understanding of LHP operation, and will lead to improvement of LHP modeling and design.