Experimental study on the heat transfer characteristics of a novel self-driven cooling system

Based on the operating principles of the loop heat pipe, a heat sink, designed as a cold plate with an internal fluid channel, is installed in the extended condensation section of the loop heat pipe. Copper foams with varying porosity were employed as porous media to fill the heat sink channel, enhancing heat transfer efficiency. Experimental results demonstrate that the designed system can be initiated and operate stably, achieving a maximum heat flux of 38 W/cm2 at the heat sink. This represents a remarkable 90 % increase in heat dissipation capacity compared to the original loop heat pipe configuration. Furthermore, a detailed analysis of the parameters influencing system performance is conducted, along with an investigation into the interrelationships between different components of the system, leading to the proposal of corresponding optimization strategies.