Performance of a R-134a-filled thermosyphon

Heat pipes are low cost and efficient heat exchange equipment. They are suitable for low temperature heat or cold recovery systems. The latter could be employed to cool incoming warm fresh air in air-conditioned ventilation systems. R-134a is an environmentally friendly refrigerant and has been generally accepted as a substitute for R-12 and R-22. The thermal performance of a thermosyphon filled with R-134a was investigated. The effects of temperature difference between bath and condenser section, fill ratio and coolant mass flow rates on the performance of the thermosyphon were determined. The experimental results indicate that the heat flux transferred increased with increasing coolant mass flow rate, fill ratio and temperature difference between bath and condenser section.