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

Authors

  • A Meyer Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch
  • R T R T Dobson Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3051/2006/v17i1a3364

Keywords:

Heat pipe heat exchangers, thermosyphons, air drying, energy savings

Abstract

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.

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References

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Published

2006-02-01

How to Cite

A heat pipe heat recovery heat exchanger for a mini-drier. (2006). Journal of Energy in Southern Africa, 17(1), 50-57. https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3051/2006/v17i1a3364