APPLICATION OF HEAT PIPES IN MODERN HEAT EXCHANGERS

Heat pipes are very flexible systems with regards to the effective thermal control. They can easily be implemented as heat exchangers inside sorption and vapour-compression heat pumps, refrigerators and other types of heat transfer devices. Their heat transfer coefficient in the evaporator and condenser zones is 10³−10⁵ W/m²K, heal pipe thermal resistance is 0.01−0.03 K/W, therefore lead to smaller area and mass of heat exchangers. Miniature and micro heat pipes are welcomed for the electronic components cooling and space two-phase thermal control systems. Loop heat pipes, pulsating heat pipes and sorption heal pipes are the novelty for the modern heal exchangers. Heat pipe air pre-heaters are used in thermal power plants to preheat the secondary/primary air required for combustion of fuel in the boiler using the energy available in exhaust Hue gases. Heal pipe solar collectors arc promising for the domestic use.