Resumen de Capillary pumping systems for solar heating application
Capillary pumping two-phase loops have been continuously investigated for electronic cooling systems, satellite thermal control and other space applications. Most tests were performed in capillary evaporators using plastic or metallic porous wick as capillary structure and anhydrous ammonia as the working fluid. In this work, capillary pumping system assisting flat solar collectors is proposed as an alternative to residential and commercial water heating systems, using fine circumferential grooves as capillary structure and acetone as the working fluid. The experimental results are obtained for a small-scale solar heating system, using one capillary pump attached to a flat copper plate of 46 cm in length and 6 cm in width. The capillary pump consists of a 19 mm OD and 500 mm long aluminium tube, with fine internal circumferential groves as the capillary structure. The working fluid is pumped from a condenser designed to delivery heat to the water storage. Heat inputs up to 14 W (507 W/m2) were estimated for heating purpose. The system presented reliable start-ups and good performance in continuous operation. The measurements were found to be in good agreement with theoretical results for the temperature field and solar power absorbed by the system.
