An experimental study of the temperature profiles and heat transfer coefficients in a heat pipe for a heat exchanger

This paper describes an experimental study of a heat pipe to be used as a component in an air-to-air heat recovery heat exchanger. The two fluids used are water and Refrigerant 22, over a temperature range from 20 C to 100 C. Temperature profiles and heat transfer coefficients are given for heat fluxes from 500 watts to 1100 watts, showing the effect of the fluid quantity used. Results were obtained for a smooth surface and for a surface with a circumferential capillary groove. The heat pipe was inclined at 5-deg to the horizontal.