Numerical Analysis of Liquid–Liquid Heat Pipe Heat Exchanger Based on a Novel Model

Qilu Chen, Yutao Shi, Zhi Zhuang, Li Weng, Chengjun Xu and Jianqiu Zhou
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Qilu Chen: School of Energy Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210000, China
Yutao Shi: School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210000, China
Zhi Zhuang: School of Energy Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210000, China
Li Weng: School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210000, China
Chengjun Xu: School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210000, China
Jianqiu Zhou: School of Energy Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210000, China

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 3, 1-19

Abstract: Heat pipe heat exchangers (HPHEXs) are widely used in various industries. In this paper, a novel model of a liquid–liquid heat pipe heat exchanger in a countercurrent manner is established by considering the evaporation and condensation thermal resistances inside the heat pipes (HPs). The discrete method is added to the HPHEX model to determine the thermal resistances of the HPs and the temperature change trend of the heat transfer fluid in the HPHEX. The established model is verified by the HPHEX structure and experimental data in the existing literature and demonstrates numerical results that agree with the experimental data to within a 5% error. With the current model, the investigation compares the effectiveness and minimum vapor temperature of the HPHEX with three types of HP diameters, different mass flow rates, and different H * values. For HPs with a diameter of 36 mm, the effectiveness of each is improved by about 0.018 to 0.029 compared to HPs with a diameter of 28 mm. The results show that the current model can predict the temperature change trend of the HPHEX well; in addition, the effects of different structures on the effectiveness and minimum vapor temperature are obtained, which improve the performance of the HPHEX.

Keywords: novel model; heat pipe heat exchanger model; phase change thermal resistance; improved thermal performance; minimum vapor temperature (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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