Heat Pipe Capillary Limit Calculator
Heat pipe capillary2γcosθ/r minus independent adverse gravity pressure, linear calibrated flow-loss per heat load; negative pressure budget explicit. Caller independently establishes units, regime, calibration and applicability; this does not establish design-code compliance, authenticity, operational safety, treatment efficacy or a validated forecast.
Description
A heat pipe's capillary pressure budget balances a meniscus contribution against gravity loss.
A heat pipe's capillary pressure budget balances a meniscus contribution against gravity loss.1
Turning the remaining budget into watts requires an independently supplied pressure-loss-per-watt model. Use this tool to calculate heat Pipe Capillary Limit from the supplied measurements and assumptions.
When to use Heat Pipe Capillary Limit Calculator
Use this tool to calculate heat Pipe Capillary Limit from the supplied measurements and assumptions. Establish the SI units or caller unit basis, load signs, measurement interval, model conditions and independently chosen coefficients or references.
How to use Heat Pipe Capillary Limit Calculator and understand its results
- Establish the SI units or caller unit basis, load signs, measurement interval, model conditions and independently chosen coefficients or references.
- Enter surfaceTensionNM, wettingContactCosine, wickEffectivePoreRadiusM, callerGravityPressureLossPa, callerFlowPressureLossPerWattPaW, using the field meanings and rules below, then run the tool.
- Read capillaryPressureBudgetPa, capillaryLimitModeledWatts. Interpret the fields using their units, signs and evidence conventions below.
- If input validation fails, correct the reported field and run again. Before applying the result, check reference scope, model assumptions and any missing evidence or placeholder values.
| Input field | Meaning | Value type | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| surfaceTensionNM | Surface tension n m | number | Required |
| wettingContactCosine | Wetting contact cosine | number | Required |
| wickEffectivePoreRadiusM | Wick effective pore radius m | number | Required |
| callerGravityPressureLossPa | Caller gravity pressure loss pa | number | Required |
| callerFlowPressureLossPerWattPaW | Caller flow pressure loss per watt pa w | number | Required |
Enter positive surface tension in N/m, pore radius in m and pressure-loss-per-watt factor in Pa/W, nonnegative gravity loss in Pa and wetting cosine in [0,1]. Budget is 2σcos/r−gravity. Retain signed budget, but clamp it at zero when converting to modeled watts. No flow-loss curve or competing thermal limit is calculated.
pressureBudgetPa=2σ×cosContact/radius−gravityLoss; limitW=max(0,budget)/lossPaPerW Use the exact units, boundary rules, ordering and missing-evidence conventions above.
| Output field | Meaning | Value type |
|---|---|---|
| capillaryPressureBudgetPa | Capillary Pressure Budget Pa; follow the units, sign, ordering and evidence convention stated above | number |
| capillaryLimitModeledWatts | Capillary Limit Modeled Watts; follow the units, sign, ordering and evidence convention stated above | number |
{
"input": {
"surfaceTensionNM": 1,
"wettingContactCosine": 1,
"wickEffectivePoreRadiusM": 0.1,
"callerGravityPressureLossPa": 2,
"callerFlowPressureLossPerWattPaW": 3
},
"output": {
"capillaryPressureBudgetPa": 18,
"capillaryLimitModeledWatts": 6
}
}Limitations and assumptions
Turning the remaining budget into watts requires an independently supplied pressure-loss-per-watt model. Interpretation depends on the units, sampling scope and exact model described above.
All listed fields require explicit values. Unexpected fields, incorrect types, nonfinite numbers and sparse evidence arrays fail validation; the specific bounds and alignment requirements are stated above. Extremely large inputs or outputs can also be rejected. An input error is distinct from a successful result reporting false, no matches or missing evidence.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use NTU Heat Exchanger Sizing Calculator for this related task: Counterflow NTU sizing relates target effectiveness and heat-capacity ratio to transfer area.
Use Geothermal Heat Extraction Calculator when its separate inputs and assumptions fit the question: A geothermal heat balance combines mass flow, heat capacity and a temperature difference.
References
-
Heat Pipe Capillary Limit Calculator — tool.io
Similar or alternative tools
- NTU Heat Exchanger Sizing Calculator
Counterflow NTU sizing relates target effectiveness and heat-capacity ratio to transfer area.
- Geothermal Heat Extraction Calculator
A geothermal heat balance combines mass flow, heat capacity and a temperature difference.