This paper proposes a numerical model of wicked heat pipes using a lumped parameter network. A lumped parameter network of a screen mesh wicked heat pipe is developed for the solid and fluid regions. Nodal analysis is applied to each node using the principles of conservation of mass, momentum, and energy. The resulting system of differential equations is solved using numerical integration. The lumped parameter model is validated using experimental results available from the literature. A parametric study is conducted to determine the effect of heat input, wick thickness, and effective wick porosity on the thermal resistance of the heat pipe. The interplay between heat input and pipe diameter of the heat pipe is investigated. A comparison of heat pipe with working fluid as water and self-rewetting fluids has been conducted. Self-rewetting fluids are found to give better performance for the wicked heat pipe. © 2020 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.