关键词:
Height differences
IGBT cooling
Loop thermosyphon
Start-up characteristics
Vertically placed flat evaporator
摘要:
This study presents a comprehensive experimental investigation into the thermal-hydraulic performance and flow dynamics of a loop thermosyphon system incorporating a vertically oriented flat evaporator designed for insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) module cooling. The effects of critical operational parameters, namely liquid filling ratio (31 %–92 %), heat load (100–900 W), and height difference between evaporator and condenser (0 cm, 20 cm, 40 cm, and 60 cm), on heat transfer characteristics, temperature uniformity, and start-up behavior were systematically examined. Results reveal that increasing the height difference enhances the gravitational driving force, thereby expanding the operational heat load range and reducing the average evaporator temperature;however, it concurrently exacerbates temperature non-uniformity due to complex two-phase flow instabilities. Notably, an optimal filling ratio near 73 % was identified at zero height difference, where the system exhibits heightened sensitivity to filling variations and limited natural circulation capability. Detailed pressure measurements elucidate the interplay between liquid column height and flow resistance, highlighting a saturation phenomenon in driving pressure at elevated heat loads. The study further uncovers transient gas blockage during start-up, manifesting as short-lived dry-up and temperature oscillations, which detrimentally affect system stability. These phenomena are attributed to the coupled effects of liquid film dynamics, bubble behavior, and gravitational forces within the confined geometry of the flat evaporator. The findings provide critical insights into the underlying physical mechanisms governing loop thermosyphon operation with flat evaporators and offer practical guidelines for optimizing design parameters to achieve enhanced thermal management of high-power electronic devices. © 2025 Elsevier Masson SAS