The influence of electric field distribution on the dielectric heat pipe performance

For their very effective thermal conductance, heat pipes (HP) are nowadays more and more widely used for cooling the electric and electronic devices. The classical HP cannot transfer heat from devices under high electric potential. This can be done using the dielectric heat pipes (DHP) characterized by high electric strength. The electric field applied to the DHP could have an essential influence on performance of the HP, that is evaporation and condensation processes as well as on the movement of the working fluid in the pipe. A numerical analysis of the distribution of the electric field in DHP was carried out. The program enabled us to determine the field strength distribution and to calculate the tangential and radial component in relation to the DHP-axis. It was found that the introduction of the control rod in the DHP-axis in the condenser enlarges the radial component value of the electric field strength and as a result increases the heat transfer in the condenser