Experimental Performance of R-134a-Filled and Water-Filled Loop Heat Pipe Heat Exchangers

摘要

Experimental investigations were conducted to determine the thermal performances of an R-134a-filled thermosyphon heat pipe heat exchanger (THPHE) and a water-filled loop heat pipe heat exchanger (LHPHE) for hot and cold energy recoveryrnfor air conditioning purposes. For such applications, the heat pipe heat exchangers are operated at low temperatures. Both exchangers were operated in the countercurrent flow mode. This article presents the experimental results obtained. The results showed that heat transfer rate increased as evaporator inlet temperature increased and as both evaporator and condenser velocities increased. The overall effectiveness for the THPHE ranged from 0.8 to a minimum of about 0.5, whilernfor the LHPHE it ranged from 0.9 to 0.3. Overall effectiveness was found to approach a minimum when both air streams have equal velocities.