Describes and discusses the principles, advantages and disadvantages of several types of air-to-air energy recovery devices, including the open and closed run-around systems; the heat pipe exchanger; the thermal wheel and the heat exchanger. Places emphasis on the potential energy savings in heating and cooling equipment and fuel costs by recovering energy from exhaust air before it is thrown away. Results indicate annual energy savings of up to 23% with even larger savings in the size of the heating and cooling equipment.
Reports the development of a small air-to-air rotary heat exchanger for residential applications in progress at Ontario Hydro Ltd. A prototype has been constructed and tested. Gives results of performance tests and the results of a numerical model for the solution of heat transfer equations as related to the prototype performance. States exchanger will be installed in aHUDAC conservation house.
Discusses the use of a regenerative air-to-air rotary heat exchanger (thermal wheel) for heat recovery in residential ventilation systems. Describes a small rotary heat exchanger designed to handle low air flow rates typical of residential houses. The heat exchanger is constructed of a light-weight honeycomb structure made of aluminium foil sheets. Laboratory tests of the heat exchanger showed a high sensible heat recovery effectiveness of the order of 85% with acceptable levels of pressure drop and cross leakage. Cost saving analysis showed significant savings even at today's energy cost.
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