Investigation of impact of different working fluids on the operational characteristics of miniature LHP with flat evaporator

Experimental studies are carried out on the operational characteristic of LHP with a flat evaporator, the difference between methanol and acetone as working fluid is especially investigated in the study. Result shows that the flat-plate LHP has a good startup characteristic and ability to adapt heat load change. Compared with LHP-methanol, the LHP-acetone starts up faster, and when it comes to steady status, the temperature of evaporator wall is lower; however, heat transfer limitation of LHP-acetone is far less than that of LHP-methanol.

► We conduct experimental study on a flat LHP using methanol and acetone respectively.
► Effects on LHP performance with the tilt angle and charging ratio are investigated.
► LHP-acetone starts up faster and temperature of evaporator wall is lower.
► Heat transfer limitation of LHP-acetone is far less than that of LHP-methanol.