Experimental analysis of a flat heat pipe working against gravity

Thermoelectric refrigeration always presents a heat flux addressing problem (constriction resistance) and it is a subject that has extensively been studied and analysed [closed form equation for thermal constriction/spreading resistances with variable resistances boundary conditions, IEPS Conference, 1994]. In previous works [Issues of the heat dissipation coming from a big surface through a much smaller one, 20th International Conference on Thermoelectrics, Beijing-China, 2001], a device (flat heat pipe) capable of addressing the heat flux has been theoretically and experimentally developed to reduce the so called constriction resistance (the lower the constriction resistance the higher the thermamoelectric module performance). This work presents the experimental results of the constriction resistance for different prototypes of flat heat pipe and investigates if they are in agreement with the theoretical predictions. It also shows the influence of certain parameters on the constriction resistance. The results have later been compared with those obtained for a flat plate in order to check whether or not the device improves the thermoelectric module performance. A brief description of the device operation is also given.