Effect of heat pipe characteristics in the energy recovery ventilation system for positive pressure room

Abstract

A system's high energy consumption is a drawback when it is used to create a positive pressure environment to reduce PM2.5. Air to air energy recovery ventilation systems (ERVs) using heat pipes are a feasible technology. This study aims to investigate the effect of installation patterns of heat pipes in air-to-air heat exchangers and the operating conditions of the system for generating a positive pressure environment. Flow characteristics of inline and staggered heat pipes with fins and without fins were investigated by using computational fluid dynamics. The different operating conditions varying inlet air temperature, air flow rate and heat pipe surface temperature were also studied. The results showed that the staggered heat pipes with fins introduced promising results. Outlet temperature was dominated by inlet air temperature and heat pipe surface temperature, while the pressure drop crossed ERV were relied on air flow rate. The promising results from the simulation were a guideline for constructing a practical heat exchanger that was integrated with positive pressure-generating equipment.