Theoretical Parametric Study of Wrap-Around Heat Pipe (WAHP) in Air Conditioning Systems

Abstract

Warp-around heat pipes (WAHP) belong to a special class of recuperative heat exchangers that transfer heat from inlet to outlet locations via thermal gradient, without using any energy. In the present work, effects of various mechanical parameters on the performance of a WAHP dehumidifier system that are based on the underlying principles of heat and mass conservation are presented primarily from a theoretical point of view. A simplified methodology pertaining to wet cooling coils is applied here for defining the case of moisture condensation during precooling process at WAHP evaporator. Inlet air temperature, inlet humidity ratio, air mass flow rate, dehumidifier outlet temperature and effectiveness are the main operational parameters considered in this study. On the other hand, comparative performance study of the WAHP system is done through an other set of thermodynamic parameters like the supply air temperature, supply humidity ratio, specific coil load and recovered enthalpy. The subtle variations in these factors against the operational parameters not only help in stipulating functional characteristics of the WAHP but also allow HVAC designers to make informed decisions for system design and performance without relying entirely on manufacturer’s equipment data.