Characteristic features of the operation of high-temperature heat pipes with a noncondesable gas

The principal concepts related to the nature of the processes occurring in high-temperature heat pipes with a noncondensable gas are examined, and guidelines for the development of such heat pipes are presented. The discussion is illustrated by experimental results obtained for a horizontal sodium heat pipe (diameter, 18/1 mm; length, 710 mm). In particular, attention is given to the starting dynamics and mechanisms, the shape of the vapor-gas front, and the vapor-gas front velocity.