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Energy
recovery heat pipes are similar in every
aspect to fins and tubes heat exchangers
with the exception that they are divided
into two sections on the air side. All
the tubes are filled up with a two-phase
fluid, that is a fluid which changes its
physical status during the process, from
vapour to liquid and vice versa in relation
to the air temperatures.
A separation panel, positioned in the
fin block separates completely the exhaust
air flow from the supply air flow. The
liquid contained in the tubes accumulates
in the lower part of the coil thanks to
the force of gravity. If an hotter air
stream is conveyed on the fluid it starts
evaporating (cooling the air) and goes
into the superior part of the coil.
Here it comes in contact with the colder
air flow and it condenses (heating the
air). This process repeats constantly
until there is a difference of air temperatures
in the two sections.
Features:
Small size: heat pipes are extremely compact
- No maintenance: they are completely
passive devices, without electrical
circuits, compressors or other active
elements.
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