Heat Transfer Analysis of a Rotating Heat Pipe Containing Internal, Axial Fins

An analytical study was undertaken to determine the two-dimensional wall conduction effects in an internally finned, rotating heat pipe. The finite element method was employed to generate computer results for a copper condenser with triangular fins. Heat transfer rates were shown to be approximately seventy-five percent greater than that predicted by an earlier, one-dimensional analysis. Heat transfer rates were found to be insensitive to rotational speed and fin half-angle. Due to numerical difficulties within the finite element program, no data was obtained for the finned, stainless steel condenser.