theoretical energy saving analysis of air conditioning system using heat pipe heat exchanger for indian climatic zones

Heat pipe heat exchanger (HPHX) is an excellent device used for heat recovery in air conditioning systems. The Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) – Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) India classifies Indian climatic zones into five categories viz., Hot and Dry (e.g. Ahmedabad, Jodhpur etc), Warm and Humid (e.g. Mumbai, Chennai etc), Composite (e.g. Nagpur, Jaipur etc), Cold (e.g. Guwahati etc) and Temperate (e.g. Bengaluru etc). The literature review indicated that very limited information is available on annual energy saving analysis of air conditioning system with HPHX for Indian climatic zones. The paper investigates the possible energy savings using HPHX for heat recovery in air conditioning system for Indian climatic zones. The analysis is carried out for total 25 Indian cities representing different climatic zones. The analysis is performed for a 6 row HPHX and assuming outdoor air quantity as 1 m3/s, return air dry bulb temperature as 23 °C and compressor power as 1 kW/TR. This paper discusses the use of HPHX only for the heat recovery application (exchange of sensible heat between fresh outdoor air and conditioned return air). The annual energy savings with HPHX for a particular city is calculated for number of hours when outdoor air dry bulb temperature exceeds 25 °C. The maximum energy saving potential is revealed for hot and dry, warm and humid and composite Indian climatic zones.