A New Heat Pipe Experiment for Junior Process Laboratory

Authors

  • Kiya Lasater University of Utah, United States
  • Natalie J McDonald University of Utah, United States
  • Thang Tran University of Utah, United States
  • David Pershing University of Utah, United States

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18260/2-1-370.660-136657

Abstract

This paper describes an innovative, new, laboratory experiment conceived as a Senior Capstone Project by the student authors to provide experience with heat pipes for students in our junior-year Process Laboratory course at the University of Utah. Heat pipes can transport energy over long distances with minimal temperature gradients and no moving parts.  The experimental results show that optimized heat pipes can transfer 4 times more energy than a similarly sized copper rod.

Author Biographies

Kiya Lasater, University of Utah, United States

Kiya Lasater earned her BS degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Utah.  She helped build the experiment and collect the data described in this paper for her Senior Capstone Project during the 2023-24 academic year.  She is currently working as an Estimating Engineer for Boccard Life Sciences and is responsible for designing, assessing, and quoting costs for manufacturing skids. Kiya’s expertise in engineering is focused on manufacturing of cosmetics, food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals.

Natalie J McDonald, University of Utah, United States

Natalie J McDonald earned her BS degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Utah.  She helped build the experiment and collect the data described in this paper for her Senior Capstone Project during the 2023-24 academic year.  She is currently working as a manufacturing process engineer for Westinghouse Electric and is responsible for maintaining production of nuclear grade zirconium metal.

Thang Tran, University of Utah, United States

Thang Tran is the Laboratory Manager in the Department of Chemical Engineering. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of Utah in Chemical Engineering, excelled as a Research Scientist at the Energy and Geoscience Institute and Energy Frontier Research Center (EFRC) MUSE, demonstrating expertise in rock mechanics and fluid flow characterization.

David Pershing, University of Utah, United States

Distinguished Professor Pershing (ChE) is President Emeritus of the University of Utah, where he is currently teaches undergraduate Heat Transfer. As President, he had responsibility for 32,000 students, and a $4 billion budget. Previously he served as Dean of Engineering and Provost.  As professor, he secured $ 80 million in external funding and authored more than 60 journal publications.  He holds a PhD from the University of Arizona and BS from Purdue in Chemical Engineering. 

Corresponding author: david.pershing@utah.edu

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Published

2025-03-12

Issue

Vol. 59 No. 2 (2025): Spring 2025

Section

Manuscripts