What is 4D Heat Pipe?
Detian Dixing 4D Heat Pipe Heat Exchanger is a high-end heat exchange equipment upgraded on the basis of the company’s 2D and 3D heat pipe technologies, specially developed for high energy consumption scenarios such as commercial building air conditioning, clean fresh air and industrial ventilation. With 4D reversible heat transfer, zero cross-contamination and non-powered operation as core features, it can efficiently recover cold/heat from air conditioning and ventilation systems and significantly reduce system energy consumption. It is the core equipment for energy saving, carbon reduction and air safety in commercial buildings, data centers, laboratories and medical clean places.
As a core product of a national high-tech enterprise, the 4D heat pipe heat exchanger realizes 4D heat transfer (axial + radial inside and outside the tube) relying on independent patented capillary structure and integrated fin process. The heat exchange efficiency is increased by more than 30% compared with traditional equipment, and the volume is reduced by 20%–30%, balancing high-efficiency energy saving and space adaptation.
Core Technical Principles of 4D Heat Pipe
1
4D Reversible Heat Transfer: Strong capillary force is generated through the special capillary groove structure inside the tube, realizing heat transfer in four directions (axial/radial outside the tube, axial/radial inside the tube). The evaporation section and condensation section can be switched freely, suitable for both winter and summer without reversing mechanism.
3
Phase Change Heat Transfer Cycle: Driven by the temperature difference of cold and hot air flow, the working medium inside the tube completes the closed loop of evaporation → transmission → condensation → capillary backflow. It has no moving parts and no additional energy consumption, with stable and reliable physical heat exchange.
2
Zero-Gap Thermal Resistance Structure: Adopting industrial pure aluminum integrated spiral fin heat pipe, formed inside and outside as a whole, eliminating contact thermal resistance and greatly improving heat exchange efficiency under low temperature difference.
4
Zero Cross-Contamination Isolation: The middle sealing partition and independent flow channel design ensure complete isolation of fresh air and exhaust air, eliminating air cross-flow and cross-contamination, meeting the requirements of high-clean scenes.
Core Advantages of 4D Heat Pipe
Ultra-High Efficiency Heat Exchange
Waste heat/cold recovery efficiency up to 85%, maintaining efficient operation even in low temperature difference environment, reducing air conditioning system load by more than 40%.
Non-Powered & Zero Energy Consumption
Driven only by temperature difference for phase change cycle, no motor or external power supply required, with remarkable annual power saving benefits, and investment can be recovered in 1–2 years.
Long Life & Maintenance-Free
No moving parts and no wear faults. The main body is made of anti-corrosion stainless steel/aluminum alloy, with stable operation for 15–20 years and operation and maintenance cost reduced by 50%.
4D Horizontal Adaptation
Breaking through the installation limitations of traditional heat pipes, supporting horizontal/bedside installation, adapting to narrow spaces such as ceilings and pipe shafts, with flexible installation and convenient construction.
Stable Operation in Full Temperature Range
Operating temperature -40℃~120℃, resisting severe cold and high temperature conditions, with stable and efficient operation in northern winter and southern summer.
Clean, Safe & Compliant
Zero cross-flow and zero pollution, complying with air safety specifications for GMP clean rooms, laboratories, hospitals, animal rooms and other places.
4D Reversible Heat Pipe Heat Exchanger Projects
4D Heat Pipe Performance Features
- Heat transfer direction: 4D reversible heat transfer, automatic switching between winter and summer
- Heat recovery efficiency: ≥80%, cold recovery efficiency: ≥65%
- Operation mode: non-powered, passive phase change heat exchange
- Sealing level: dual-chamber isolation, zero cross-flow and zero cross-contamination
- Structural design: modular and compact, thin thickness and small occupation
- Material process: integrated fin heat pipe, anti-corrosion and durable
- Maintenance design: reserved access and cleaning section for convenient maintenance
- Control adaptation: compatible with BMS building automatic control system for intelligent monitoring
4D Heat Pipe Heat Recovery Unit Series Lineup
The RGNKZ Straight-Through Heat Pipe Energy Recovery AHU is a 100% outdoor air energy recovery unit. Its functional sections are arranged side by side, requiring a relatively wide installation footprint. However, with proper plant room layout, the recessed exhaust-air section can improve space utilization.
Its key feature is that all return air is exhausted outdoors while all outdoor air is supplied indoors, providing a large fresh-air volume, excellent indoor air quality, and zero cross-contamination. It is particularly suitable for applications with stringent air-quality requirements, such as swimming pools, hospitals, premium conference rooms, laboratories, and facilities where return air contains odors or must not be recirculated.
The RGNKH Mixed-Air Heat Pipe Energy Recovery Unit exhausts part of the return air outdoors, while the remaining portion is recirculated and mixed with outdoor air before entering the AHU for further treatment. It is widely used in central air-conditioning systems for shopping malls, hotel lobbies, public libraries, and similar buildings.
In operation, part of the return air passes through the heat pipe heat exchanger and is discharged outdoors. The incoming outdoor air recovers cooling or heating energy from the exhaust air through the heat pipe, becoming pre-cooled or pre-heated before mixing with the recirculated return air. The mixed air is then processed by cooling/heating coils or other functional sections before being supplied to the conditioned space.
Its primary structural advantage is that the cross-sectional dimensions are identical to those of conventional AHUs, making it suitable for integration into standard air-handling systems.
In the RGNKY In-Line Heat Pipe Energy Recovery Unit, the heat pipe heat exchanger is installed horizontally inside the AHU. The energy recovery section adopts a tower-style configuration, while the functional sections are arranged in a straight-line layout. The unit width is the same as that of a conventional AHU, although the recovery section requires additional length.
The outdoor-air intake opening is relatively large, with a typical face velocity of 2.5–3.0 m/s. When installed in a dedicated fresh-air plant room, the outdoor air can be drawn directly into the unit without a fresh-air duct, while the exhaust air can be discharged directly through the roof.
The RGNKL Vertical Single-Season Heat Pipe Energy Recovery Unit features a vertically installed heat pipe heat exchanger and is designed for single-season operation only. Warm air passes through the lower section of the unit, while cooler air flows through the upper section.
Single-season cooling-recovery units are generally used in hot climates to recover cooling energy and reduce the outdoor-air cooling load. Single-season heat-recovery units are commonly applied in cold winter regions to recover heat from exhaust air and preheat incoming outdoor air.
For large airflow applications, the supply fan is typically installed in the lower section of the unit to accommodate structural load-bearing requirements.
The RGCS Heat Pipe Dehumidification AHU typically adopts an upper-and-lower arrangement. After entering the unit, the warm and humid air first passes through the heat pipe heat exchanger, where it is cooled and dehumidified.
The cooled, dehumidified air is then redirected through the upper section of the heat pipe heat exchanger for reheating, raising the supply-air temperature to a comfortable level while maintaining appropriate humidity. The supply fan then delivers air with both comfortable temperature and humidity conditions to the occupied space.
This unit is particularly suitable for hot and humid summer climates, such as those found in southern China and Southeast Asia.
The RGHW Heat Pipe Heat Recovery Unit consists of a heat pipe heat exchanger, casing, supply fan, exhaust fan, and air filters. It is commonly used in large central air-conditioning fresh-air ventilation systems.
The airflow capacity ranges from 4,000 CMH to 120,000 CMH. Both horizontal and vertical configurations are available. Vertical units are typically used for smaller airflow applications, with a maximum capacity of 15,000 CMH.
Typical Application Scenarios
Commercial buildings: waste heat/cold recovery of central air conditioning fresh air systems in office buildings, shopping malls and hotels
Clean places: clean fresh air for hospital operating rooms, laboratories, GMP workshops and animal rooms
Data centers: ventilation and heat dissipation, cold quantity recovery, reducing PUE value
Transportation hubs: energy saving renovation of ventilation and air conditioning in airports, high-speed rail stations and subway stations
Industrial scenarios: plant ventilation, waste heat recovery in coating/drying processes
Public buildings: energy saving and carbon reduction renovation of schools, gymnasiums and office buildings
Standard Technical Parameters (Customizable)
|
Item |
Standard Index |
Remarks |
|
Operating temperature |
-40℃ ~ 120℃ |
Wide temperature range adaptation |
|
Heat recovery efficiency |
70%–85% |
Customizable according to working conditions |
|
Cold recovery efficiency |
≥65% |
Summer cooling condition |
|
Applicable air volume |
1000–100000m³/h |
Non-standard customization available |
|
Equipment material |
Aluminum alloy/stainless steel + anti-corrosion coating |
Anti-corrosion and long service life |
|
Operating pressure |
Normal pressure |
No high-pressure safety risk |
|
Service life |
15–20 years |
Maintenance-free design |
|
Installation mode |
Horizontal/bedside/ceiling |
Strong space adaptability |
Installation & Integration
Installation diagram:
W: width of the heat pipe heat exchanger
L: thickness of the heat pipe heat exchanger
H: height of the heat pipe heat exchanger
W′: width of the heat pipe section in the air handling unit (AHU)
L′: length of the heat pipe section in the air handling unit (AHU)
H′: height of the heat pipe section in the air handling unit (AHU)
Equipment Sizing Reference
Section Length (L)
Along airflow direction.
4-row L=300mm; 6-row L=370mm; 8-row L=500mm
Equipment Width (W)
Facing airflow direction.
W = Heat Pipe Length + 80mm
Equipment Height (H)
H = Effective Face Height + 80mm. (Applicable for left-right structure heat exchangers only).
Equipment Weight
Heat pipe weight is approx. 1.2 kg/m.
Total Weight = Total Heat Pipe Weight + Frame Weight.
Full-Process Service Support
Beijing Detian Dixing provides one-stop full life cycle service for 4D heat pipe heat exchangers:
1
Early technical consultation and on-site working condition survey
2
Customized solution design and CFD thermal simulation optimization
3
Non-standard product R&D, production and factory inspection
4
On-site installation, commissioning and start-up trial operation
5
Regular inspection, equipment maintenance and system optimization
6
Lifetime technical support and spare parts supply
