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Upgrading of the thermal performance of two-phase closed thermosyphon (TPCT) using fusel oil

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Abstract

This study investigates how fusel oil affect the thermal performance of a two-phase closed thermosyphon (TPCT) at various states of operation. The present study experimentally demonstrated the effect of using fusel oil comprised of various types of alcohols (1.1 % ethyl alcohol, 74.7 % amyl alcohol, 11.3 % isobutyl alcohol, 4.9 % butyl alcohol and 3.8 % propyl alcohol and 4 % water) in varying ratios on improving the performance of the TPCT. Fusel oil has been obtained from fermentation plants as a by product. A straight copper tube with an inner diameter of 13 mm, outer diameter of 15 mm and length of 1 m was used as the TPCT. The fusel oil was filled up 33.3 % (44.2 ml) of the volume of the TPCT. Three heating power levels (200, 300 and 400 W) were used in the experiments with three different flow rates of cooling water (5, 7.5 and 10 g/s) used in the condenser for cooling the system. An increase of 17.64 % was achieved in efficiency of TPCT when fusel oil was used to replace deionized water at a heat load of 200 W and with a cooling water flow rate of 10 g/s.

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Abbreviations

C p :

Specific heat capacity (kJ/kg K)

k:

Thermal conductivity (W/m K)

\(\dot{m}\) :

Mass flow ratio (kg/s)

R:

Thermal resistance (K/W)

\(\dot{Q}\) :

Heat transfer ratio (W)

T:

Temperature (K)

ΔT:

Temperature difference (K)

ρ:

Density (kg/m3)

µ:

Viscosity (Pas)

η:

Thermal performance (−)

S :

The function uncertainty

W S :

The total uncertainty (%)

w 1, w 2, w n :

The uncertainties in the independent variables

x :

Independent variables

c:

Condenser

e:

Evaporator

HP:

TPCT

in:

Inner of the cooling water in the condenser

out:

Outer of the cooling water in the condenser

w, water:

Deionized water

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Energy Systems Engineering, Technology Faculty, Gazi University, 06500, Teknikokullar, Ankara, Turkey

    Adnan Sözen, Tayfun Menlik & Mustafa Aktaş

  2. Chemical Engineering, Engineering Faculty, Gazi University, 06570, Maltepe, Ankara, Turkey

    Metin Gürü

Authors
  1. Adnan Sözen
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  2. Tayfun Menlik
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  3. Metin Gürü
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  4. Mustafa Aktaş
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Correspondence to Adnan Sözen.

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Sözen, A., Menlik, T., Gürü, M. et al. Upgrading of the thermal performance of two-phase closed thermosyphon (TPCT) using fusel oil. Heat Mass Transfer 53, 141–149 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00231-016-1809-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00231-016-1809-2

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