The aim of this paper is to point out possible solutions to the further development of heat pipes by numerical modelling of phase-change heat transfer. Numerical modelling has now become a standard method that helps to reduce the economic costs of research and development of new and innovative devices. The article describes the procedures for using numerical simulation in phase-change heat transfer that occurs due to evaporation and condensation of the working fluid. The suggested procedure enables modelling of gravitational heat pipe under different changes in its geometry or under changes in the working fluid. From the simulation results we can find out how the heat pipe behaves under different geometric changes and how much heat output it transfers. The paper presents results obtained from modelling of heat pipes, such as classical gravitational heat pipe, heat pipe with capillary geometry, and closed loop pulsating heat pipe. The results gathered from numerical simulation of heat pipes were compared with measurement results.

Improving the performance of electrical components needs higher heat removal from these systems. One of the solutions available is to use a sealed heat pipe with a throbbing filling, where development meets the current requirements for intensification of heat removal and elimination of moving parts cooling systems. Heat pipes operate using phase change working fluid, and it is evaporation and condensation. They have a meandering shape and are characterized by high intensity of heat transfer, high durability and reliability. Advantage of these tubes is that it is not necessary to create the internal capillary structure for transporting liquid and they need any pump to the working fluid circulation. They have a simple structure, low cost, high performance, and they can be used for various structural applications. The choice of working fluid volume and performance affects thermal performance. Distilled water, ethanol and acetone were used in the performance ranges 0–80%.

Loop heat pipes (LHPs) are used in many branches of industry, mainly for cooling of electrical elements and systems. The loop heat pipe is a vapour-liquid phase-change device that transfers heat from evaporator to condenser. One of the most important parts of the LHP is the porous wick structure. The wick structure provides capillary force to circulate the working fluid. To achieve good thermal performance of LHP, capillary wicks with high permeability and porosity and fine pore radius are expected. The aim of this work was to develop porous structures from copper and nickel powder with different grain sizes. For experiment copper powder with grain size of 50 and 100 μm and nickel powder with grain size of 10 and 25 μm were used. Analysis of these porous structures and LHP design are described in the paper. And the measurements’ influences of porous structures in LHP on heat removal from the insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) have been made.

This paper deals with the experimental research and verification of a passive cooling system operating on the principle of a loop gravity heat pipe designed for cooling electrical cabinets. This type of cooling works automatically by changing the state of the working substance and thus saves energy consumption. Since the designed cooling system ensures heat transfer from the interior cabinet to the outdoor space, where the heat can naturally dissipate to the surroundings, it is dustproof. The heat pipe consists of an innovative evaporator concept designed to minimize liquid and vapour phase interference in the refrigeration circuit. The aim of the research was to experimentally determine the limit performance parameters of the refrigeration system for different volumes of working medium in the evaporator and decrease heat loss in the cabinet interior. The designed device was verified experimentally and by mathematical calculations as well. The greatest benefit of the work is that the cooling device was able to ensure temperature conditions inside the electrical enclosure at a heat load of 2000 W under 60 °C, 1500 W under 55 °C, 1000 W under 50 °C, 750 W under 45 °C and 500 W under 40 °C.