Until several years ago, energy sources had been both inexpensive and abundant. Today's situation, however, is drastically different. Fuel costs have risen dramatically and continue to rise. Fuel curtailments are becoming ever more common. As a result of these conditions, the need for energy conservation has become extremely apparent.

Energy conservation offers a way to significantly reduce facility operating costs. Furthermore, in many cases, the ability to conserve energy may mean the difference between continuing operations or closing down due to fuel shornages. Or, where additional supplies of fuel are unavailable, energy conservation may constitute the only means of expanding operations.

This paper explores the use of heat-pipe exchangers as energy recovery devices taking into account the need for environmental protection which has increased the demand for use of conservation techniques.