Evaluating the possible configurations of incorporating the loop heat pipe into the air-conditioning systems

The possible configurations of incorporating the loop heat pipe into the air-conditioning system to perform the reheat process are introduced and evaluated. The results show that the coefficient of performance of the system can be improved and the energy required by the compressor can be reduced when LHP is used instead of the heating element. For low room sensible heat factor, using loop heat pipe can improve the COP by approximately 2.1-fold over that when heating element is used. The results also show that the possible configurations of incorporating the loop heat pipe considered for small air-conditioning unit have the same COP, and among the possible configurations used in air-handling unit. The configuration where the loop heat pipe evaporator is placed in the supply air passage gives the highest COP followed by that where the loop heat pipe evaporator is placed in the return air passage then that where the loop heat pipe evaporator is placed in the passage of the outside air.