Fluid flow and heat transfer modeling in rotating heat pipes

The performance of high-speed rotating heat pipes has been simulated using simplified condensation and evaporation models. The fluid flow and heat transfer in the evaporator, condenser and adiabatic sections are solved simultaneously to predict the heat transfer performance of the rotating heat pipe. The effects of both a taper angle and rotational speed on the heat transfer characteristics are studied. Modified correlations for the entrainment limit are developed in non-dimensional form and discussed.