Numerical Analysis of Aerodynamic and Thermal Performance of Streamline Heat Pipe Heat Exchanger Assisted by Fins

This study numerically explores the feasibility of a streamlined heat pipe heat exchanger in precooling technology in supersonic vehicles. Emphasis has been placed on the role of fins installed in the condensation section in affecting the aerodynamic and thermal characteristics of the streamline heat pipe heat exchanger. The results show that the installation of fins in the condensation section effectively improved the overall heat transfer capacity of the streamline heat pipe heat exchanger. The temperature drop with fins is up to 685 K, which is 20 K larger than the case without fins. Simultaneously, fins resulted in 6.4% and 25.4% increases in the pressure loss coefficient in the evaporation and condensation section compared to the case without fins. The aerodynamic and thermal characteristics are closely related to the mass flow rate of intake air and kerosene (RP-3). The pressure drop and temperature drop are positively related to the mass flow rate of RP-3. In contrast, as the qa increases, the heat exchange per qa decreases, and the temperature of the air outlet of the evaporation section increases correspondingly. In the evaporation section, as the qRP-3 increases, the temperature drop in the condensation section first increases and then remains unchanged, and its pressure loss coefficient decreases. The temperature drop in the intake air is positive and related to the qRP-3. The results obtained in this study are significant because they can provide technical support in the high performance of heat exchangers.