Heat Pipe Air Pre-heaters

Heat Pipe Air Pre-heaters are used to preheat combustion air for fired process heaters, industrial boilers, and central station boilers. The isothermal device eliminates problems due to acid gas or cold end corrosion. It consists of three elements:

• A sealed pipe
• A capillary wick structure
• A working fluid

Working principle:

• Heat from flue gas heats one end of the pipe - causes instantaneous evaporation of the working fluid
• Rapid generation of vapor creates pressure - forces excess vapor to the cold (combustion air) end of the pipe
• Vapor condenses at the cold (combustion air) end transferring heat to the combustion air