Modeling and simulation of heat pipes: review

Heat pipes have been extensively studied using various methods, such as MATLAB, AMESIM, and commercial CFD software. Early numerical models employed the thermal conductance approach, which oversimplified the characteristics and performance of heat pipes. Newer models comprise the thermal resistance model, which emphasizes two-phase heat transfer, AI-based approaches for predicting flow patterns and thermal characteristics, and the CFD model, which accounts for phase changes and two-phase flow utilizing the VoF and phase change models. Although the thermal resistance model demands fewer computing resources, it has limited visualization of the flow pattern and wick structure. In contrast, CFD models offer advantages in visualizing the flow pattern and thermal characteristics but have limitations in terms of consuming computing resources and considering heat transfer from wick structures and mass transfer rates caused by phase changes. Consequently, most simulations are validated with experimental results. Innovative approaches for phase changes in heat pipes and wick structures are necessary to address these challenges.