The effects of non-condensable gases on the performance of loop thermosyphon heat exchangers

The effects of 'Non-Condensable Gases' (NCG) on the performance of 'Loop Thermosyphon Heat Exchangers' (LTHE) used in industrial waste heat recovery systems are investigated experimentally and theoretically. The optimum location for installing a reservoir to trap NCG and minimise their adverse effect on effectiveness is identified. A procedure to calculate the size of a reservoir such that all the NCG present in the LTHE system can be trapped in it at a predetermined working fluid temperature is presented. For an NCG-loaded LTHE the temperature determining the onset of heat recovery, the optimum operating temperature, and the maximum operating temperature are determined.