Submerged heat pipe condenser

Abstract

A heat exchange system is disclosed for use with a heat exchanger and a volume of fluid. The heat exchange system may include a tank configured to hold the volume of fluid and having a passthrough. The heat exchange system may also include a heat pipe having an external portion configured to engage with the heat exchanger and an internal portion configured to be disposed within the tank via the passthrough. The heat pipe may include a sealed tube configured to conduct heat from the volume of fluid within the tank to the heat exchanger or to conduct heat from the heat exchanger to the volume of fluid within the tank.

Description

SUBMERGED HEAT PIPE CONDENSERCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of US provisional application No. 63 / 520,673, filed August 21, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.FIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates generally water heaters and more particularly to a submerged heat pipe condenser.BACKGROUND

[0003] Heat pump water heaters can be two to three times more energy efficient than conventional electric resistance water heaters. To move the heat, heat pumps utilize a vapor-compression cycle.

[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a condenser heat pump water heater 100. As shown in the figure, the condenser heat pump water heater 100 may include a water tank 102, a submerged condenser 104, and refrigerant lines 106. The submerged condenser 104 may be at least partially disposed within the water tank 102 and (as its name indicates) may be at least partially submerged in the water within the water tank 102. The refrigerant lines 106 may include a refrigerant input line that provides refrigerant into the submerged condenser 104, as shown by the arrow 108. and a refrigerant output line that removes refrigerant from the submerged condenser 104, as shown by the arrow7110.

[0005] In operation, a heat source heats up a refrigerant, which may be input into the submerged condenser 104 via the input line of the refrigerant lines 106. The heated refrigerant may course through the wound coils of the submerged condenser 104. Typically, the submerged condenser 104 is made of a heat conducting material, such as a conducting metal. As a result, the heat from the heated refrigerant may be conducted to the water surrounding the submerged condenser 104 within the water tank 102. The refrigerant then cools, as its heat is transferred to the surrounding water. The cooled refrigerant may then be discharged from the submerged condenser 104 via the output line of the refrigerant lines 106, back to the heat source, and the process may be repeated. Theend result is that a heat source from outside the water tank 102 is able to heat water within the water tank 102 via the submerged condenser 104.

[0006] FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged view of the submerged condenser 104 of the condenser heat pump water heater 100 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the submerged condenser 104 may include a screw cap 202 and a hollow coil 204. In some instances, the hollow coil 204 starts at the screw cap 202 at an input 206 that is configured to receive the heated refrigerant via the input line of the refrigerant lines 106. The heated refrigerant may course through the hollow coil 204 releasing heat into the surrounding water until it reaches a distal end 208 of the hollow coil 204. In some instances, at the distal end 208, the piping of the hollow coil 204 returns up through the center of the hollow coil 204 to an output 210 at the screw7cap 202. The output 210 may be configured to output the cooled refrigerant via the output line of the refrigerant lines 106.

[0007] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a part 212 of the hollow coil 204 of the submerged condenser 104 of FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the hollow coil 204 may include an outer jacket 302 surrounding an innerjacket 304. The refrigerant 306 flows through the innerjacket 304.

[0008] In certain embodiments, the hollow coil 204 may be fabricated w ith a double jacket design for safety reasons. In particular, in some instances, the water from the water tank 102 may be consumed. As the submerged condenser 104 is submerged within water in the water tank 102, more precautions may be taken to ensure that the refrigerant does not leak into the w ater in the water tank. These extra precautions may take the form of a double jacket design for the submerged condenser 104. While this double jacket design may decrease the chances of refrigerant leaking into the water within the water tank 102, it greatly decreases the efficiency of heat transfer from the refrigerant 306 to the water within the w ater tank 102. Further, this double jacket design greatly increases the cost of manufacture of the submerged condenser 104.

[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates another condenser heat pump water heater 400. In certain embodiments, the condenser heat pump water heater 400 may include a heater system 402, a water tank 404, and a condenser coil 406. In some instances, the condenser coil 406 may be coiled at least partially around the circumference to the water tank 404. In operation, the heater system 402 (e.g., one or more components of a vapor compression cycle) may heat a refrigerant, which is then pumped through the condenser coil 406. The heated refrigerant may conduct heat through the condenser coil 406, through the watertank 404, and into the water within the water tank 404. This will be described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 5.

[0010] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross section of a portion 408 of the condenser heat pump water heater 400 of FIG. 4. In certain embodiments, the water 502 within the water tank 404 may contact a coating 504 on the inner surface of the wall 506 of the water tank 404. The coating 504 may be provided to reduce unwanted oxidation (e.g., rusting) of the wall 506 of the water tank 404. The condenser coil 406 may be wrapped tightly against the outer surface of the wall 506. The heated refrigerant 508 may course through the condenser coil 406. In this manner, heat from the heated refrigerant 508 may conduct through the wall of the condenser coil 406, through the wall 506, through the coating 504, and finally into the w ater 502 w ithin the w ater tank 404.

[0011] Because the heat must thermally conduct through the w all of the condenser coil 406. through the wall 506, and through the coating 504 before it conducts into the water within the water tank 404, the efficiency is not optimal.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings. In some instances, the use of the same reference numerals may indicate similar or identical items. Various embodiments may utilize elements and / or components other than those illustrated in the drawings, and some elements and / or components may not be present in various embodiments. Throughout this disclosure, depending on the context, singular and plural terminology may be used interchangeably.

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a condenser heat pump water heater.

[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged view' of the submerged condenser of the condenser heat pump water heater of FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a part of the coil of the submerged condenser of FIG. 2.

[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates another condenser heat pump water heater.

[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross section of a portion of the condenser heat pump water heater of FIG. 4.

[0018] FIG. 6 illustrates a condenser heat pump water heating system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates a heat pipe in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 8 illustrates a top half of a water tank with heat pipes in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 9A illustrates a top down schematic view of a portion of the water tank with heat pipes of FIG. 8 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 9B illustrates a top down schematic view of another portion of the water tank with heat pipes of FIG. 8 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 9C illustrates a top dow n schematic view of another portion of the water tank with heat pipes of FIG. 8 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 10 illustrates a top down view of the water tank with heat pipes of FIG. 8 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of the heat pipes of FIG. 8 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of the water tank with heat pipes of FIG. 8 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the w ater tank with heap pipes of FIG. 8 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 14 illustrates a method of operating a heat pump water heater in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] This disclosure relates generally to heat pump water heaters that use a heat pipe to transfer heat to the water in the water tank. A heat pipe is a passive heat transfer device that uses the phase change of a w orking fluid to transfer heat from one location to another. A heat pipe is made up of a sealed tube containing a w orking fluid, a wick structure, and a vacuum-tight containment unit (envelope).

[0030] In a heat exchange system, heat pipes are used to transfer heat between two fluids or betw een a fluid and a solid. In certain embodiments, a heat pipe works when heat is applied to an evaporator end of the heat pipe, causing the working fluid to vaporize. Thevapor travels through the heat pipe to the condenser end, where it condenses and releases heat. The condensed liquid flows back to the evaporator end by capillary action. This cycle continues as long as there is a temperature difference between the evaporator and condenser ends of the heat pipe.

[0031] In some instances, the heat pipe is installed about the water tank such that at least a first part of the heat pipe may be disposed externally to the water tank and at least a second part of the heat pipe may be submerged in the water w ithin the w ater tank. In certain embodiments, a condenser coil (which at times may include a heated refrigerant therein) may be wrapped around the external part of the heat pipe (i.e., the part of the heat pipe not submerged in the water). In this manner, heat provided by the heated refrigerant may be conducted to the external part of the heat pipe, which is conducted through the heat pipe to the submerged part of the heat pipe in the water within the water tank. As a result, the heated submerged part of the heat pipe may heat the water within the water tank.

[0032] By using a heat pipe, there is no refrigerant submerged in the water of the water tank, as in the system discussed above with reference to FIGS. 1-2. Further, because a portion of the heat pipe is submerged within the water tank, the heat does not have to conduct through multiple layers of materials, as in the system discussed above with reference to FIGS. 3-5. That is, in some instances, the heat pipe may only be one layer of material. Therefore, a heap pump w ater heater using a heat pipe in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is more efficient that those systems discussed above with reference to FIGS. 1-5.

[0033] Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 6 illustrates a condenser heat pump water heating system 600 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In certain embodiments, the condenser heat pump water heating system 600 may include a heat exchanger 602, a heat pipe 604, and a water tank 606. The water tank 606 may be configured to hold a volume of water 608 therein. The heat pipe 604 may include a first end 610 in communication with the heat exchanger 602 and a second end 612 in communication with the water 608 within the water tank 606. In operation, the heat exchanger 602 may heat up the end first 610 of the heat pipe 604. As a result, the heat may be thermally conducted along the length of the heat pipe 604, wherein the second end 612 of the heat pipe heats the water 608 within the water tank 606. This will be described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 7.

[0034] FTG. 7 illustrates the heat pipe 600. In certain embodiments, the first end 610 may be separated from the second end 612 by a length 706. In some instances, the heat pipe 600 may include an outer casing 708 that seals and surrounds an inner wick 712, which may surround a vapor cavity 710. The outer casing 708 may be any known conducting material that is capable of conducting heat, non-liming examples of which may include copper, stainless steel, etc. The inner wick 712 may be any material that retains liquid and permits the liquid to flow therethrough, so that the liquid does not pool within the cavity. In some instances, the inner wick 712 may be impregnated with a liquid that is used to transfer heat through a cyclic process of condensation and evaporation.

[0035] In operation, a heat load may be provided to the first end 610 over an evaporator length 720. It is called an “evaporation” length because that is the length of the first end 610 that directly receives the heat load, thus causing the liquid within the inner wick 712 to evaporate into the vapor cavity 710, creating a vapor flow 716 toward the second end 612. In this example, the liquid within the heat pipe 600 is water, and the vapor flow 716 is steam. The heat load may be provided by any know heating system, non-limiting examples of which include gas-fired, electrically induced, radiant, heating coils, heat pumps, etc.

[0036] In certain embodiments, when the heated steam reaches the second end 612, the heat may dissipate along a condensation length 718. In particular, as the heat dissipates from the steam, the steam may condense back into water and enter the inner wick 712. The water from the inner wick 712 may travel back toward the first end 610 as a liquid flow 714. wherein the cycle may repeat. In this example, the condensation length 718 would be the length of the heat pipe 600 that is within the w ater of the water tank, e.g., that corresponding to the second end 612 of FIG. 6.

[0037] A more detailed discussion of the use of heat pipes with a heat pump w ater heating system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 8-13.

[0038] FIG. 8 illustrates a top half of a w ater tank 802 with heat pipes 804, 806, and 808 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In certain embodiments, the heat pipe 804 may include an exterior portion 812 and a submerged portion 810. the heat pipe 806 may include an exterior portion 816 and a submerged portion 814, and the heat pipe 808 may include an exterior portion 820 and a submerged portion 818.

[0039] In certain embodiments, with respect to the heat pipe 804, the submerged portion 810 may enter the water tank 802 through a passthrough in the water tank about halfway up its length, i.e., if the water tank 802 has a length, A. then the submerged portion 810 may enter a passthrough at L / 2. At the point of entry, an insulating gasket 822 may prevent contact between the heat pipe 804 and the water tank 802 to inhibit heat transfer from the heat pipe 804 to the water tank. The heat pipe 804 includes an external portion 812, which is disposed externally to the water heater 802, with the submerged portion 810 being bent at an angle from the wall of the water tank 802. In this example, the submerged portion 810 may be bent at an angle of about 30° from the wall of the water tank 802. As will be described in more detail below, the external portion 812 may be heated with a condenser coils, whereas the submerged portion 810 may be configured to heat the water within the water tank 802.

[0040] With respect to the heat pipe 806, the submerged portion 814 may enter the water tank 802 through a passthrough about two thirds up the length of the water tank 802, i.e., if the water tank 802 has a length, A. then the submerged portion 814 may enter the passthrough at L / 3. At the point of entry, an insulating gasket 824 may prevent contact between the heat pipe 806 and the water tank 802 to inhibit heat transfer from the heat pipe 806 to the water tank. The heat pipe 806 may include a straight external portion 816, which is disposed externally to the water heater 802, with the submerged portion 816 being bent at an angle from the wall of the water tank 802. In this example, the submerged portion 816 may be bent at an angle of about 45° from the wall of the water tank 802. As will be described in more detail below, the external portion 816 may be heated with a condenser coils, whereas the submerged portion 814 may be configured to heat the water within the water tank 802.

[0041] With respect to the heat pipe 808, the submerged portion 818 may enter the water tank 802 through a passthrough about three-fourths up the length of the water tank 802, i.e., if the w ater tank 802 has a length, A. then the submerged portion 818 may enter the passthrough at L / 4. At the point of entry, an insulating gasket 826 may prevent contact betw een the heat pipe 808 and the w ater tank 802 to inhibit heat transfer from the heat pipe 808 to the water tank. The heat pipe 808 may include a straight external portion 820, which is disposed externally to the water heater 802. with the submerged portion 818 being bent at an angle from the wal I of the water tank 802. In this example, the submerged portion 818 may be bent at an angle w ithin a range of about 70°-80° from the wall of the w ater tank 802.As will be described in more detail below, the external portion 820 may be heated with a condenser coil, whereas the submerged portion 818 may be configured to heat the water within the water tank 802.

[0042] FIG. 9A illustrates a top down schematic view of a portion of the water tank 802 with heat pipes of FIG. 8, showing the submerged portion 818 of the heat pipe 808. FIG. 9B illustrates a top down schematic view of another portion of the water tank 802 with heat pipes of FIG. 8, showing the submerged portion 814 of the heat pipe 806. FIG. 9C illustrates a top down schematic view of another portion of the water tank 802 with heat pipes of FIG. 8, showing the submerged portion 810 of the heat pipe 804.

[0043] FIG. 10 illustrates atop down view of the water tank 802 with the heat pipes of FIG. 8. In certain embodiments, the external portion of the heat pipe 804 may be covered by an insulating cover 1002. Similarly, the external portion of the heat pipe 806 may be covered by an insulating cover 1004. Likewise, the external portion of the heat pipe 808 may be covered by an insulating cover 1006. A refrigerant line 1008 may be in communication w ith all the external portions of the heat pipes.

[0044] FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of the heat pipes 804, 806, and 808 of FIG. 8. In certain embodiments, the submerged portion 814 of the heat pipe 806 may be linear. The submerged portion 814 of the heat pipe 806 may be any suitable size, shape, or configuration. In some instances, the submerged portion 810 of the heat pipe 804 may include a linearly angled portion 1102 that curves up into a vertical linear portion 1104. The submerged portion 810 of the heat pipe 804 may be any suitable size, shape, or configuration. In some instances, the submerged portion 818 of the heat pipe 808 may generally curve up in a helical shape. The submerged portion 818 of the heat pipe 808 may be any suitable size, shape, or configuration.

[0045] FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of the water tank 802 with heat pipes of FIG. 8. Further, FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the water tank 802 with heat pipes of FIG. 8. As shown in the FIGS. 12 and 13, the refrigerant line 1008 may include an input line portion 1202 that feeds heated refrigerant around the heat pipe 806. In particular, in some instances, the refrigerant line 1008 may wrap around the external portion 816 of the heat pipe 806 to conduct heat from the heated refrigerant to the external portion 816, as shown in FIG. 11. In some instances, the insulating cover 1002 may surround the wrapped refrigerant line 1008 and the heat pipe 806. The insulating cover 1002 may prevent heat from dissipating into the air or conducting through to the water tank 802. Inthis manner, the insulating cover 1002 may assure that the heat provided by the heated refrigerant is conducted from the external portion 816 through the heat pipe 806 to the submerged portion 814 so as to heat the water within the water tank 802.

[0046] In certain embodiments, the refrigerant line 1008 may include a transition line portion 1204 that is configured to take refrigerant that has been used to heat the heat pipe 806 and then similarly heat the heat pipe 804. In particular, in some instances, the transition line portion 1204 may wrap around the external portion 812 of the heat pipe 804 to conduct heat from the heated refrigerant to the external portion 812, as shown in FIG. 11. The insulating cover 1004 may surround the wrapped transition line portion 1204 and the heat pipe 804. The insulating cover 1004 may be configured to prevent heat from dissipating into the air or conducting through to the water tank 802. The insulating cover 1004 may assure that the heat provided by the heated refrigerant is conducted from the external portion 812 through the heat pipe 804 to the submerged portion 810 so as to heat the water within the water tank 802.

[0047] In certain embodiments, the refrigerant line 1008 may include a transition line portion 1206 that is configured to take refrigerant that has been used to heat the heat pipe 804 and then similarly heat the heat pipe 808. In particular, in some instances, the transition line portion 1206 may wrap around the external portion 820 of the heat pipe 808 to conduct heat from the heated refrigerant to the external portion 820, as shown in FIG. 11. The insulating cover 1006 may surround the wrapped transition line portion 1206 and the heat pipe 808. The insulating cover 1006 may prevent the heat from dissipating into the air or conducting through to the water tank 802. The insulating cover 1006 may assure that the heat provided by the heated refrigerant is conducted from the external portion 820 through the heat pipe 808 to the submerged portion 818 so as to heat the water within the water tank 802.

[0048] FIG. 14 illustrates a method 1400 of operating a heat pump water heater in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In certain embodiments, the method 1400 starts (S1402) and water is in the water tank (S1404). For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the water 608 may be within the water tank 606.

[0049] Returning to FIG. 14, after water is held in the water tank (S 1404). the heat pipe is either heated or cooled (S1406). For example, returning to FIG. 6. in some embodiments, the heat exchanger 602 may include a heating element to heat the first end 610 of the heat pipe 604. In some instances, the heating element may be a heat pumpoperating in a heating capacity, a gas-fired furnace, an electric heating element, etc. Any suitable heating element may be used herein. The systems and methods described herein are configured to transfer heat from the heating elements to the water within the water thank. That is, this type of operation would be performed with the ultimate intent to heat the water 608 within the water tank 606. However, it should be noted that in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the heat exchanger 602 may include a heat extracting element to cool the first end 610 of the heat pipe 604. A heat extracting element may include a heat sink, a heat pump operating in a cooling capacity, etc. This type of operation would be performed with the ultimate intent to cool the water 608 within the water tank 606.

[0050] It should also be noted that the examples discussed above described heating or cooling water in a water tank. However, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure a heat exchanger, in combination with a heat pipe and a fluid holding vessel, may be implemented to heat or cool any fluid within any fluid holding vessel. More so, it should also be noted that, while condenser heat pump water heating system 600 include a single heat pipe 604, any number of heat pipes may be used in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, as discussed above with reference to FIGS. 8-13, three heat pipes are used, wherein each heat pipe has a different shape.

[0051] Returning to FIG. 14, after the heat pipe is either heated or cooled (S1406), the fluid within the vessel likewise is cooled or heated (S1408). For example, as mentioned above, as shown in FIG. 6, if the heat exchanger 602 is configured to heat the first end 610 of the heat pipe 604, then the heat may be transferred to the second end 612 of the heat pipe 604, which may transfer heat to the water 608 in the water tank 606 to heat the water 608. Alternatively, if the heat exchanger 602 is configured to cool the first end 610 of the heat pipe 604. then the heat will continue to be transferred from the second end 612, wherein the sinking of the heat will ultimately cool the water 608 within the water tank 606.

[0052] Returning to FIG. 14, after the fluid within the vessel is either cooled or heated, as desired (S1408), method 1400 stops (S1410).

[0053] Some heat pump water heaters have an internal coiled condenser filled with heated refrigerant in order to transfer heat to the water in the water heater. However, these heat pump water heaters are expensive to manufacture because the internal coiledcondenser must be manufactured with double jacketed walls to reduce the likelihood that the refrigerant will leak into the water. Other heat pump water heaters wrap the outer surface of the metal water tank with a coiled condenser in order to transfer heat into the water within the water tank. However, these systems are inefficient as there is much heat loss when conducting through the condenser coils and the wall of the water heater.

[0054] In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the detriments of the other systems discussed above are avoided with the use of a heat pipe. For example, in some instances, a portion of the heat pipe may be external to the water heater and may be heated with a condenser line. In this manner, a submerged portion of the heat pipe may transfer the heat directly into the water within the water heater. In some instances, the heat pipes are filled with water. Therefore, in such instances, in the unlikely event that the heat pipe leaks, it will only leak water into the water tank and not refrigerant.

[0055] It should be apparent that the foregoing relates only to certain embodiments of the present disclosure and that numerous changes and modifications may be made herein by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the general spirit and scope of the disclosure.

[0056] Although specific embodiments of the disclosure have been described, numerous other modifications and alternative embodiments are within the scope of the disclosure. For example, any of the functionality described with respect to a particular device or component may be performed by another device or component. Further, while specific device characteristics have been described, embodiments of the disclosure may relate to numerous other device characteristics. Further, although embodiments have been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the embodiments. Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments could include, while other embodiments may not include, certain features, elements, and / or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and / or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments.

Claims

CLAIMSThat which is claimed is:

1. A heat exchange system for use with a heat exchanger and a volume of fluid, the heat exchange system comprising: a tank configured to hold the volume of fluid and having a passthrough; and a heat pipe having an external portion configured to engage with the heat exchanger and an internal portion configured to be disposed within the tank via the passthrough, wherein the heat pipe comprises a sealed tube configured to conduct heat from the volume of fluid within the tank to the heat exchanger or to conduct heat from the heat exchanger to the volume of fluid within the tank.

2. The heat exchange system of claim 1. further comprising: a second heat pipe, wherein the tank has a second passthrough, wherein the second heat pipe has a second external portion configured to engage with the heat exchanger and a second internal portion configured to be disposed within the tank via the second passthrough, wherein the second heat pipe comprises a second sealed tube configured to conduct heat from the volume of fluid within the tank to the heat exchanger or to conduct heat from the heat exchanger to the volume of fluid within the tank.

3. The heat exchange system of claim 2, wherein the internal portion of the heat pipe has a first shape, and wherein the second internal portion of the second heat pipe has a second shape that is different from the first shape.

4. The heat exchange system of claim 1, wherein the heat pipe comprises: a sealed outer metal jacket having a first end, a second end, an outer surface and an inner surface; a vapor cavity; and a wick disposed on the inner surface of the sealed outer metal jacket between the inner surface and the vapor cavity.

5. The heat exchange system of claim 4, wherein the sealed outer metal jacket comprises copper, and wherein the wick is impregnated with water.

6. A heat exchange system for use with a volume of fluid, the heat exchange system comprising: a heat exchanger; a tank configured to hold the volume of fluid and having a passthrough; and a heat pipe having an external portion configured to engage with the heat exchanger and an internal portion configured to be disposed within the tank via the passthrough, wherein the heat pipe comprises a sealed tube configured to conduct heat from the volume of fluid within the tank to the heat exchanger or to conduct heat from the heat exchanger to the volume of fluid within the tank.

7. The heat exchange system of claim 6. further comprising: a second heat pipe, wherein the tank has a second passthrough, wherein the second heat pipe has a second external portion configured to engage with the heat exchanger and a second internal portion configured to be disposed within the tank via the second passthrough, wherein the second heat pipe comprises a second sealed tube configured to conduct heat from the volume of fluid within the tank to the heat exchanger or to conduct heat from the heat exchanger to the volume of fluid within the tank.

8. The heat exchange system of claim 7, wherein the internal portion of the heat pipe has a first shape, and wherein the second internal portion of the second heat pipe has a second shape that is different from the first shape.

9. The heat exchange system of claim 6, wherein the heat pipe comprises:a sealed outer metal jacket having a first end, a second end, an outer surface and an inner surface; a vapor cavity; and a wick disposed on the inner surface of the sealed outer metal jacket between the inner surface and the vapor cavity.

10. The heat exchange system of claim 9, wherein the sealed outer metal jacket comprises copper, and wherein the wick is impregnated with water.

11. The heat exchange system of claim 6, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a gas- fired burner configured to heat the external portion of the heat pipe.

12. The heat exchange system of claim 6, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a condenser coil configured to heat the external portion of the heat pipe.

13. The heat exchange system of claim 6, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a condenser coil configured to extract heat from the external portion of the heat pipe.

14. A method of exchanging heat with a volume of fluid, the method comprising: holding, within a tank having a passthrough, the volume of fluid; and performing, via a heat pipe having an external portion configured to engage with a heat exchanger and an internal portion configured to be disposed within the tank via the passthrough, one of conducting heat from the volume of fluid within the tank to a heat exchanger or conducting heat from the heat exchanger to the fluid within the tank via the passthrough.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: conducting heat, via a second heat pipe, from the volume of fluid within the tank to the heat exchanger or conducting heat form the heat exchanger to the volume of fluid within the tank.wherein the second pipe has a second external portion configured to engage with the heat exchanger and a second internal portion configured to be disposed within the tank via a second passthrough, and wherein the second heat pipe comprises a second sealed tube configured to conduct heat from the volume of the fluid within the tank to the heat exchanger or to conduct heat from the heat exchanger to the volume of the fluid within the tank.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the internal portion of the heat pipe has a first shape, and wherein the second internal portion of the second heat pipe has a second shape that is different from the first shape.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the heat pipe comprises: a sealed outer metal jacket having a first end, a second end, an outer surface and an inner surface; a vapor cavity; and a wick disposed on the inner surface of the sealed outer metal jacket between the inner surface and the vapor cavity'.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the sealed outer metal jacket comprises copper, and wherein the wick is impregnated with water.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a gas-fired burner configured to heat the external portion of the heat pipe.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a condenser coil configured to heat the external portion of the heat pipe.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a condenser coil configured to extract heat from the external portion of the heat pipe.

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