Table of Contents
- A heat pipe is a sealed tube with a working fluid that transfers heat by evaporation and condensation - no moving parts, no power, no cross-flow. In HVAC, banks of heat pipes sit in the airstream to pre-cool (or pre-heat) incoming air using the exhaust stream. It is the most passive form of air-to-air recovery.
- Zero cross-contamination - supply and exhaust never mix, ideal for cleanrooms and hospitals. No frost, no defrost - the thermal diode effect and gravity-assisted designs avoid the icing problems of wheels (see frost protection). Maintenance-free - no motor, belt, or seals to service.
- Orientation - gravity-assisted pipes need a slight tilt; capillary (arterial) pipes work in any position. Effectiveness - typically 0.50-0.70, lower than a rotary wheel but with none of its carryover. Temperature range - pick the working fluid (water, ammonia, refrigerants) for the operating band.
- Compare with plate, rotary, and run-around coils in our plate vs rotary vs heat pipe guide. Heat pipes suit moderate airflows where reliability and separation beat peak effectiveness. Size using the method in efficiency metrics.
A heat pipe is a sealed tube with a working fluid that transfers heat by evaporation and condensation - no moving parts, no power, no cross-flow. In HVAC, banks of heat pipes sit in the airstream to pre-cool (or pre-heat) incoming air using the exhaust stream. It is the most passive form of air-to-air recovery.
- Zero cross-contamination - supply and exhaust never mix, ideal for cleanrooms and hospitals.
- No frost, no defrost - the thermal diode effect and gravity-assisted designs avoid the icing problems of wheels (see frost protection).
- Maintenance-free - no motor, belt, or seals to service.
- Orientation - gravity-assisted pipes need a slight tilt; capillary (arterial) pipes work in any position.
- Effectiveness - typically 0.50-0.70, lower than a rotary wheel but with none of its carryover.
- Temperature range - pick the working fluid (water, ammonia, refrigerants) for the operating band.
Compare with plate, rotary, and run-around coils in our plate vs rotary vs heat pipe guide. Heat pipes suit moderate airflows where reliability and separation beat peak effectiveness. Size using the method in efficiency metrics.