Analysis of annual energy savings in air conditioning using different heat pipe heat exchanger configurations integrated with and without evaporative cooling

The three HPHX (heat pipe heat exchanger) configurations in the present investigation include HPHX with single wick structure (HPHX 1), HPHX with composite wick structure (HPHX 2) and hybrid HPHX (HPHX 3) which is the combination of HPHX 1 and HPHX 2. The experimental correlations obtained are used for investigating annual energy savings in air conditioning using HPHX integrated with and without evaporative cooling, for Indian climatic zones. A representative city for each Indian climatic zone is selected for the analysis involving sensible heat recovery between outdoor air and conditioned return air. The investigation reveals that for HPHX without evaporative cooling, HPHX 1 becomes favourable choice for cities such as Bengaluru (representing temperate Indian climatic zone), Chennai (warm and humid Indian climatic zone) and Guwahati (cold Indian climatic zone). For cities such as Ahmedabad (hot and dry Indian climatic zone), Gwalior (composite Indian climatic zone) and Chennai, the use of HPHX integrated with evaporative cooling is found more promising for HPHX 3 followed by HPHX 2, whereas for cities such as Bengaluru and Guwahati, HPHX 1 becomes the popular choice. The present research gives an insight towards the performance and selection of HPHX with different configurations, for Indian climatic zone.