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3. The solution
Vacuum tube
Heat out
Condensation
Separation plate
Steam
Heat in
Heat pipe operation
A heat pipe is a metal tube, sealed at both ends with a vacuum LQVLGH¿OOHGZLWKDVPDOOTXDQWLW\RIÀXLG7KHÀXLGXVHG depends upon the required working temperature range of the KHDWSLSH)RUH[DPSOHDZDWHU¿OOHGKHDWSLSHKDVDZRUNLQJ temperature range of 80ºC to 320ºC, enough to meet over 90% of application requirements. The metal used for the heat pipe construction depends upon the application needs. In industrial applications the most common materials used are copper, carbon steel, stainless steel (AISI 304 and AISI 316) and aluminium, although other materials are DYDLODEOHWRPHHWWKHQHHGVRIVSHFL¿FDSSOLFDWLRQV The part of the heat pipe that is immersed in the hot stream absorbs heat, causing the liquid inside the pipe to evaporate. The evaporated liquid (steam) then travels to the top of the heat pipe. When this steam reaches the top, it heats up the
cold stream, causing it to condense back into a liquid. The OLTXLGWKHQÀRZVEDFNWRWKHERWWRPRIWKHKHDWSLSHDQGWKH cycle will continue as long as there is a temperature difference between the hot stream and the cold stream. 'XHWRWKHGLIIHUHQFHLQGHQVLW\RIWKHZRUNLQJÀXLGLQLWV liquid and vapour phases, a natural circulation cycle operates inside the heat pipe. It is not necessary for the heat pipe to be mounted vertically for this cycle to operate effectively. It will operate perfectly, even when the heat pipe is installed as little as 4º from the horizontal.
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