Heat Pipes

Heat Pipes

Abstract

Heat Pipes, enhancing dehumidification using heat pipes and their applications

All electronic components, from microprocessors to high-end power converters, generate heat and rejection of this heat is necessary for their optimum and reliable operation. As electronic design allows higher throughput in smaller packages, dissipating the heat load becomes a critical design factor. Many of today’s electronic devices require cooling beyond the capability of standard metallic heat sinks. The heat pipe is meeting this need and is rapidly becoming a mainstream thermal management tool. Heat pipes have been commercially available since the mid 1960’s. Only in the past few years, however, has the electronics industry embraced heat pipes as reliable, cost-effective solutions for high end cooling applications. The purpose of this article is to explain basic heat pipe operation, review key heat pipe design issues, and to discuss current heat pipe electronic cooling applications. In order to make a room comfortable in hot, humid climates, an air conditioner must lower the indoor humidity level as well as the air temperature. If an air conditioner fails to lower the humidity adequately, the air will be cool, but will feel uncomfortably damp. Inappropriately sized air conditioners are prone to this problem. Large units quickly cool the air, but cycle off before they can properly dehumidify it. One technology that addresses this problem is the dehumidifying heat pipe. It is a device that enables an air conditioner to dehumidify better and still efficiently cool the air. It does not need additional electricity to operate. The heat pipe is ideal for hot, humid environments. Most models of heat pumps and air-conditioners can be retrofitted with dehumidifying heat pipes. They can also be built into new heat pump or air-conditioner heat exchanger coils. Heat pipes save electricity in another way as well. They allow the cooling system to be reduced in size. They can also be used to help heat domestic hot water. To do so, a heat exchanger transfers the heat extracted by the pipes to a water tank. The current paper is an effort to enlighten the students of this forgotten technology and bring to you the basic principle underlying this technology. We have tried to cover some of their applications and particularly in the field of enhancing dehumidification in air conditioners.