A review of the applications of heat pipe heat exchangers for heat recovery

The waste heat recovery by heat pipes is accepted as an excellent way of saving energy and preventing global warming. This paper is a literature review of the application of heat pipes heat exchangers for the heat recovery that is focused on the energy saving and the enhanced effectiveness of the conventional heat pipe (CHP), two-phase closed thermosyphon (TPCT) and oscillating heat pipe (OHP) heat exchangers. The relevant papers were allocated into three main categories, and the experimental studies were summarized. These research papers were analyzed to support future works. Finally, the parameters of effectiveness of the CHP, TPCT and OHP heat exchangers were described. This review article provides additional information for the design of heat pipe heat exchangers with optimum conditions in the heat recovery system.