A heat pipe heat recovery heat exchanger for a mini-drier

This paper considers the thermal design and the experimental testing of a heat pipe (thermosyphon) heat exchanger for a relatively small commercially available mini-drier. The purpose of the heat exchanger is to recover heat from the moist waste air stream to preheat the fresh incoming air. The work...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: A Meyer, R T R T Dobson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Cape Town 2017-10-01
Series:Journal of Energy in Southern Africa
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.assaf.org.za/jesa/article/view/3364
Description
Summary:This paper considers the thermal design and the experimental testing of a heat pipe (thermosyphon) heat exchanger for a relatively small commercially available mini-drier. The purpose of the heat exchanger is to recover heat from the moist waste air stream to preheat the fresh incoming air. The working fluid used was R134a and the correlations are given for the evaporator and condenser inside heat transfer coefficients as well as for the maximum heat transfer rate. The theoretical model and computer simulation program used for the thermal design calculations are described. The validity of the as-designed and manufactured heat exchanger coupled to the drier is experimentally verified. The theoretical model accurately predicted the thermal performance and a significant energy savings and a reasonable payback period was achieved.
ISSN:1021-447X
2413-3051