A sodium-potassium ally (45-wt.%-Na and 55-wt.%-K) heat pipe was experimentally tested to investigate the effect of heating powers (800

1000

1200

1400

and 1600W) on start-up and heat transfer performances. The results showed that under the tested operation conditions

the sodium-potassium ally heat pipe presented an optimal start-up performance with the heating power. Within the range of 800-1600W of heating power

the heat pipe could achieve a dynamic equilibrium state of heat transfer as the heat was carried away by cooling water in time

and the heat transfer coefficient of the sodium-potassium ally heat pipe

convective heat transfer coefficients of evaporator and condenser sections almost linearly increased with the heating power.