Analyses of radially rotating high-temperature heat pipes for turbomachinery applications

A set of closed-form solutions for the liquid film distributions in the con denser section of a radially rotating miniature heat pipe and for the vapor temperature drop along the heat pipe length are derived. The heat transfer limitations of the heat pipe are analyzed under turbine blade cooling cond itions. Analytical results indicate that the condenser heat transfer limita tion normally encountered by low-temperature heat pipes no longer exists fo r the high-temperature rotating heat pipes that are employed for turbine bl ade cooling. It is found that the heat pipe diameter, radially rotating spe ed, and operating temperature are very important to the performance of the heat pipe. Heat transfer limitations may be encountered for an increased he at input and rotating speed, or a decreased hydraulic diameter. Based on th e extensive analytical evaluations, it is concluded that the radially rotat ing miniature heat pipe studied in this paper is feasible for turbine blade cooling applications.