Experimental study of heat transfer in a wick heat pipe with a magnetic stainless steel wick at various inclination angles
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15330/pcss.27.2.346-355Keywords:
experimental setup, wick heat pipe, induction heating, tilt angle, heat transfer, thermal efficiencyAbstract
This paper presents the results of an experimental study on the operation of a wick-type heat pipe equipped with an innovative induction heating system. This work is a logical continuation of theoretical studies published by the authors in 2025 and aims to verify a mathematical model of thermal processes in the “inductor–magnetic core–heat transfer fluid” system. The design of the tube under study includes a copper housing, a wick based on an AISI 304 stainless steel mesh, and a ferromagnetic core made of AISI 430 steel. Heating was performed using a parallel resonant circuit at a frequency of 28.15 kHz.
The aim of the study was to determine the effect of the tilt angle on the thermal efficiency of the tube in the low-temperature range (18–50°C). The architecture of the experimental setup is described, which includes a two-channel thermometer based on an Arduino microcontroller and film thermistors, which ensure high measurement accuracy in the evaporation and condensation zones.
A series of experiments yielded sets of temperature curves for tilt angles of 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90°. It was found that in the vertical orientation (90°), the tube exhibits the highest isothermality and the shortest time to reach steady state. A characteristic temperature threshold for phase transition activation was identified in the range of 30–32°C. It has been proven that when the tilt angle is reduced below 30°, thermal efficiency decreases significantly, which is due to the limited capillary potential of the AISI 304 steel wick, which does not ensure sufficient condensate return to the heating zone under conditions of weak gravitational influence. The obtained data allow for the optimization of heat pipe parameters for their application in mobile personal heating systems, particularly in thermal mats, and indicate the need to modernize the wick structure for operation in a horizontal position.
References
Shu Fang, Rui Wang, Haisu Ni, Hao Liu, Li Liu, A review of flexible electric heating element and electric heating garments, Journal of Industrial Textiles, 51, (2022); https://doi.org/10.1177/1528083720968278.
Song-Lin Jia, Hong-Zhang Geng, Luda Wang, Ying Tian, Carbon nanotube-based flexible electrothermal film heaters with a high heating rate, Royal Society Open Science, 5(6), (2018); https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.172072.
Zhu Zhu, Hao Lu, Wenjun Zhao, Ailidaer Tuerxunjiang, Xiqiang Chang, Materials, performances and applications of electric heating films, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 184, 113540 (2023); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2023.113540.
Taejin Kim, Deborah Chung, Carbon fiber mats as resistive heating elements, Carbon, 41(12), 2436 (2003); https://doi.org/10.1016/S0008-6223(03)00288-4.
Ya M. Kusyi, O. R. Onysko, A. M. Kuk, O. S. Kostiuk, B. V. Solohub, Development of the structure and methodological support of the system for analysis of the details shaping, IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 2540(1), 012026 (2023); https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/2540/1/012026.
Dezhao Li, Yangtao Ruan, Chuangang Chen, Wenfeng He, Cheng Chi, Qiang Lin, Design and Thermal Analysis of Flexible Microheaters, Micromachines, 13(7), 1037 (2022); https://doi.org/10.3390/mi13071037.
Qingshuai Yan et al., Flexible, high-strength, and breathable electric heater with 3D folding structure for personal thermal management, Materials Today Energy, 54, 102074 (2025); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtener.2025.102074.
Jeong Eun Yoon, Jiwon Chung, Jeongpyo Lee, Seung Hyun Jee, Sumin Helen Koo, Development and evaluation of cable-less heating mats utilizing low-power carbon nanotube planar heaters, Textile Research Journal, 95(7–8), 2024; https://doi.org/10.1177/00405175241286545.
ASTM International, Standard Guide for Selection of Materials for Thermal Insulation, ASTM C1055 (2019).
F.P. Incropera, D.P. DeWitt, T.L. Bergman, A.S. Lavine, Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer, 7th ed. (Wiley, Hoboken, 2011).
Y. Li, A.S.W. Wong, Clothing Biosensory Engineering (Woodhead Publishing, Cambridge, 2006).
I.R. Vashchyshak, S.P. Vashchyshak, T.M. Mazur, M.P. Mazur, Study of the influence of the environment on the efficiency of induction heating of low-temperature heat pipe, Physics and Chemistry of Solid State, 25(4), 784–794 (2024); https://doi.org/10.15330/pcss.25.4.784-794.
The effects of bed cooling on sleep quality and sleep thermal comfort in overheated bedrooms, Building and Environment (2026); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2026.114213.
I.R. Vashchyshak, S.P. Vashchyshak, T.M. Mazur, M.P. Mazur, Study of the heat transfer efficiency of a wick heat pipe with induction heating, Physics and Chemistry of Solid State, 26(3), 613 (2025); https://doi.org/10.15330/pcss.26.3.613-621.
Huanfa Wang, Guiping Li, Xiaobin Shen, Yong Liu, Yuandong Guo, Experimental Study and Visual Observation of a Loop Heat Pipe, Energies, 16(13), 5068 (2023); https://doi.org/10.3390/en16135068.
Deepak Dubey et al., Experimental & Theoretical Analysis of Heat Pipe at Different Orientation, IJSRD, 6(2), (2018); https://www.ijsrd.com/articles/IJSRDV6I20699.pdf.
R. Pallás-Areny, J.G. Webster, Sensors and Signal Conditioning, 2nd ed. (John Wiley & Sons, New York, 2001).
J.P. Bentley, Principles of Measurement Systems, 4th ed. (Pearson Education, Harlow, 2005).
Fluke Corporation, Fluke 54 II B Digital Thermometer – Technical Data (Everett, WA, 2020).
NIST, Calibration of Temperature Sensors in Liquid Baths (Gaithersburg, 2019).
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 I.R. Vashchyshak, S.P. Vashchyshak, T.M. Mazur, M.P. Mazur
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
