A Numerical Study on Nanofluid-Based Heat Pipes for Frost Protection of Water Meters

This study establishes nanofluid-charged thermosyphon heat pipes (THPs) as an effective solution for preventing water meter freezing in cold climates. The research validated the numerical model using experimental data, confirming the effectiveness of the Volume of Fluid (VOF) method for simulating two-phase fluid dynamics. The system harnesses the stable thermal energy of deep soil to passively supply heat to the meter chamber. Through a validated numerical model, copper oxide (CuO) nanofluid demonstrated superior thermal performance over pure water, an enhancement attributed to its higher thermal conductivity and improved convective heat transfer. The results reveal a direct correlation between nanoparticle concentration and thermal performance, with a ۴% volume concentration yielding a ۲۸% increase in heat transfer efficiency. This significant improvement underscores the potential of nanofluids to enhance the reliability and energy efficiency of anti-freezing systems for urban water infrastructure.

Keywords:

Heat Pipe , Two phase flow , VOF , nanofluid , Soil Energy