Heat transfer performance of a toluene loaded two-phase thermosyphon

Large dimension thermosyphons are efficient heat transfer components in heat recovery systems. Their performance limits depend on the following parameters: geometrical (length, diameter, inclination angle), physical (fluid, fill charge), thermal (temperature, heat flux).An experimental investigation was carried out with a large dimension, closed, two-phase thermosyphon which correspond to a device used in industrial recuperators. A vertical or inclinded steel thermosyphon, 3 m long and 27 mm inner diameter, was tested at temperatures varying from 100°C to 300°C with toluene as the working fluid. The lower part of the pipe was electrically heated along a variable length and the upper zone was cooled with an air stream whose flow rate and temperature were controlled. The maximum heat flux was measured as a function of temperature for different liquid fill charges and inclination angles. From these experimental data, boiling and condensation heat transfer coefficients were deduced. It was observed that the critical heat flux depends little on the fill ratio unless the charge is less than 20% for which a local dry-out occurs. The optimal fill charge was found to be between 20% and 50%. Experimental data have been compared with existing theories. The inclination effects have been taken into account with an empirical formula.