1.2) Loop Thermosyphon
A loop thermosyphon is basically a tube in a closed circuit, as displayed below. Heat is applied to
the evaporator region, which is filled with fluid. The heat evaporates the fluid, and the vapor flows
through pressure difference to the condenser, where heat is removed. The vapor condenses on the internal
walls of the condenser and the fluid flows back to the evaporator through gravitaty. In order to avoid
heat from escaping through the tube walls between evaporator and condenser, which would cause the fluid
to condense before reaching the condenser, the tube is thermally isolated. Since there is no temperature
variation in phase change, the temperature variation between evaporator and condenser is quite low. In
other words, the low thermal resistance in heat transport raises efficiency. The loop thermosyphon is
therefore a high efficiency heat transfer device.
LABTUCAL has been developing loop thermosyphon technologies for
asphalt tanks heating for PETROBRAS.
Publications
MANTELLI, M. B. H.; BAZZO, E. Solar Absorber Plates: Design and Applications to Microgravity Capillary - Pumped - Loop Experiments. Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, 2000. vol.37, no.1, p.100-107.
MILANEZ, F. H.; MANTELLI, M. B. H. A Loop Thermosyphon for Asphalt Tank Heating. In: 8th International Heat Pipe Symposium, 2006, Kumamoto - Japão, 2006.
MANTELLI, M. B. H.; MILANEZ, F. H.; COSTA, C. Aquecimento de Tanques de Cimento Asfáltico de Petróleo Através da Tecnologia de Termossifões Bifásicos. In: 1º Seminário da Rede Gás & Energia, 2006, Rio de Janeiro.
