Heat Pipes for Heat Recovery Systems

Abstract

The paper presents the results of experimental research on two heat pipes, one wicked and the other wickless (thermosiphon). The conventional heat pipe is more efficient for small average temperature differences, but it blocks rather quickly. A calculus based on the pressure balance with the one dimensional heat pipe model leads to a good correlation with the experimental results. In contrast, the thermosiphon achieves significantly higher functional performances at higher temperature differences. So, the conventional heat pipes can be recommended to be used in low average temperature difference applications as air conditioning and thermosiphons are usable in heat recovery from industrial waste sources (air preheaters in boilers or ovens).