Performance Enhancement of Electric Bus Air Conditioning System by Heat Pipe Equipment (Experimental Study)

Abstract

Electric Vehicles (EVs) are considered a significant way to minimize dependence on fossil fuel. As one of the most energy-consuming auxiliary components in EVs, air conditioning should enhance its performance and minimize the power and energy consumption. In this experiment, a modular air conditioner prototype with additional heat pipe components for an electric bus air conditioner has been successfully constructed. In this study, a modular AC system testing was carried out before and after using heat pipes at various ambient temperature conditions. The results reveal that the heat pipes utilization in the modular AC system for electric buses increases the cooling capacity by about 15%, and reduces the power input level of the AC system by about 28%. This has contributed to raising of the system’s Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) of around 30%, and the heat pipe’s average effectiveness of 7,5%.