Working principle of U-type heat pipe heat exchanger

U-type heat pipe heat exchanger is a heat exchange equipment that utilizes the efficient heat transfer characteristics of heat pipes. It is widely used in industrial waste heat recovery, ventilation heat exchange, air conditioning systems and other occasions. Its core principles are as follows:

1. Structural composition
The U-type heat pipe heat exchanger is mainly composed of the following parts:

U-type heat pipe (closed tubular structure, filled with a certain amount of working fluid, such as water, ethanol, propane, etc.)

Cold end pipe row (cold air flows through)

Hot end pipe row (hot air flows through)

Middle partition (separates cold and hot fluids to avoid mixing)

2. Working principle
Evaporation section heat absorption:
Hot air flows through the hot end section (evaporation section) of the U-type heat pipe, and the working fluid in the tube evaporates rapidly after being heated, absorbing a large amount of heat.

Vapor migration:
The evaporated working fluid vapor migrates to the cold end (condensation section) along the U-shaped tube bend in the heat pipe.

Heat release in the condensation section:
Cold air flows through the cold end section of the U-shaped heat pipe, where the working fluid vapor condenses into liquid, releasing the heat it carries and heating the cold air.

Gravity reflux:
The condensed working fluid liquid flows back to the evaporation section with the help of gravity or capillary structure, circulates back and forth, and realizes a continuous heat exchange process.

3. Technical features
High efficiency: The phase change heat transfer efficiency in the heat pipe is extremely high, and the heat exchange speed is fast;

Isolation: The cold and hot fluids are completely isolated to avoid cross contamination;

No moving parts: Simple structure, stable operation, almost maintenance-free;

Strong adaptability: Suitable for a variety of heat exchange scenarios such as gas-gas and gas-liquid, especially suitable for waste heat recovery conditions with large air volume and large temperature difference.