Int¿l Environmental Corp. - Heat Pipe Fan Coils

IEC’s Heat Pipe Fan Coils ––

A Superior Dehumidification Technology

Studies have shown that our bodies tend to be more comfortable at higher temperatures when there is not a great deal of moisture or humidity in the air. Why? It’s not the heat, but rather the combination of heat and humidity that influences our perception of comfort and discomfort. Compare, for instance, two rooms with the same air temperature but different humidity levels. The room with lower humidity will be perceived as more comfortable than the one with higher humidity levels because our body’s natural cooling system operates more efficiently when there is less moisture in the air. IEC’s Heat Pipe Fan Coils offer a logical solution to the problem of high humidity. Heat Pipe Fan Coils have a lower sensible heat ratio, allowing greater removal of moisture from the air and less energy consumption for dehumidification.

HOW DO HEAT PIPES WORK?

A heat pipe is a simple device that has the ability to conduct heat without the requirement of energy input. Structurally, the heat pipe is a loop of copper tubing sealed and charged with refrigerant. The heat pipe cycle begins automatically whenever the cooling coil is in operation. As the heat pipe is exposed to warm return air, the refrigerant in the loop begins to boil and warm vapor rises toward the cooler end of the loop. Once the vapor reaches the condensing area of the loop, heat is transferred from the heat pipe to the supply air and the vapor condenses back to a liquid. The liquid then returns by gravity back to the bottom of the loop, and the cycle repeats itself. By extracting heat from indoor air and bypassing it around the cooling coil, the heat pipe fan coil unit allows the coil to operate colder, dehumidify deeper and create a drier, more comfortable living space.

HEAT PIPE FAN COILS AND
TIGHTER BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

Prior to the movement toward energy conservation, ventilation occurred naturally through the cracks, leaks and porous construction materials being used. In contrast, the building envelope of today is increasingly vapor tight and sealed, creating a contained environment which traps humidity and moisture in the building envelope and encourages the growth of mold and mildew. Use of IEC’s Heat Pipe Fan Coils is of tremendous value in this situation, as it enhances the humidity removal characteristics of the cooling coils and helps to counteract the effects of tighter building construction.