Heat Transfer Performance Analysis and Simulation of Heat Pipe Heat Exchanger

This study aimed to develop a mathematical model for predicting the heat exchange performance of a heat pipe heat exchanger and establish an algorithm for effective heat exchanger design. The thermal performance of the heat pipe heat exchanger was assessed using the analytical model, and an algorithm was formulated to estimate the number of heat pipe rows required to achieve the desired heat exchange performance based on the input conditions of the hot and cold sides of the heat exchanger. The analytical model was developed using the thermal resistance approach, defining thermal resistance-temperature relationships between the heat pipes arranged in each row and the heat transfer fluid. The reliability of the analytical model was validated against experimental results found in the literature. The relative error in temperature generally remained within 5, but the error in effectiveness reached up to 17.5%. Inlet velocity on the cold side and the location of the common wall were selected as variables for simulating the performance of the heat pipe heat exchanger. This allowed for an investigation into the effects of these variables on temperature distribution, utility, and pressure drop in each row.