• Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.231-239
• /
• 2006

An experimental investigation of a Reversible Loop Heat Pipe (RLHP) was conducted to determine the operating limits and performance characteristics as functions of the thermophysical parameters, the heat input, and the cooling intensity. Variations in both temperature and heat transport capacity were measured and analyzed in order to accurately evaluate the transient operating characteristics. In addition, the maximum heat transport as a function of the mean evaporator temperature, the ratio of heat transport to heater input power as a function of the mean evaporator temperature, and the overall thermal resistance as a function of the overall heat transport capacity were examined as well. Results indicated that the cooling intensity played an important role on the operating characteristics and performance limitation. The maximum heat transports corresponding to cooling intensity $72W/^{\circ}C$ and $290W/^{\circ}C$ were 446 W and 924 W, respectively. Also, observation of the startup characteristics indicated that the mean evaporator temperature should be maintained between $40^{\circ}C$ and $60^{\circ}C$, and overall thermal resistance were measured as $0.02^{\circ}C/W$.

• Proceedings of the SAREK Conference
• /
• 2005.06a
• /
• pp.125-125
• /
• 2005

• Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
• /
• v.20 no.6
• /
• pp.427-446
• /
• 2008

A review on the papers published in the Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering in 2006 has been accomplished. Focus has been put on current status of research in the aspect of heating, cooling, ventilation, sanitation and building environments. The conclusions are as follows. (1) The research trends of fluid engineering have been surveyed as groups of general fluid flow, fluid machinery and piping, etc. New research topics include micro heat exchanger and siphon cooling device using nano-fluid. Traditional CFD and flow visualization methods were still popular and widely used in research and development. Studies about diffusers and compressors were performed in fluid machinery. Characteristics of flow and heat transfer and piping optimization were studied in piping systems. (2) The papers on heat transfer have been categorized into heat transfer characteristics, heat exchangers, heat pipes, and two-phase heat transfer. The topics on heat transfer characteristics in general include thermal transport in a cryo-chamber, a LCD panel, a dryer, and heat generating electronics. Heat exchangers investigated include pin-tube type, plate type, ventilation air-to-air type, and heat transfer enhancing tubes. The research on a reversible loop heat pipe, the influence of NCG charging mass on heat transport capacity, and the chilling start-up characteristics in a heat pipe were reported. In two-phase heat transfer area, the studies on frost growth, ice slurry formation and liquid spray cooling were presented. The studies on the boiling of R-290 and the application of carbon nanotubes to enhance boiling were noticeable in this research area. (3) Many studies on refrigeration and air conditioning systems were presented on the practical issues of the performance and reliability enhancement. The air conditioning system with multi indoor units caught attention in several research works. The issues on the refrigerant charge and the control algorithm were treated. The systems with alternative refrigerants were also studied. Carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons and their mixtures were considered and the heat transfer correlations were proposed. (4) Due to high oil prices, energy consumption have been attentioned in mechanical building systems. Research works have been reviewed in this field by grouping into the research on heat and cold sources, air conditioning and cleaning research, ventilation and fire research including tunnel ventilation, and piping system research. The papers involve the promotion of efficient or effective use of energy, which helps to save energy and results in reduced environmental pollution and operating cost. (5) Studies on indoor air quality took a great portion in the field of building environments. Various other subjects such as indoor thermal comfort were also investigated through computer simulation, case study, and field experiment. Studies on energy include not only optimization study and economic analysis of building equipments but also usability of renewable energy in geothermal and solar systems.