Abstract

Thermal performance of a novel heat exchanger setup consisting of two thermosyphons connected in series was investigated. An intermediary heat transfer element (IHTE) transported heat from a fictitious component to be cooled to the evaporator of a second thermosyphon. Cylindrical and conical shaped couplings were used as the IHTE condenser geometry. The effects of IHTE filling ratio, inclination angle, aspect ratio and coupling geometries on the system thermal performance were evaluated. While increasing filling ratios promote increasing operation temperatures, decreasing filling ratios facilitate dryout. The critical input heat flux due to dryout decreases with decreasing thermosyphon inclination angle. Higher aspect ratio values imply higher operation temperatures. Both conical and cylindrical IHTE condensers were demonstrated as possible fitting elements for thermal couplings. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.