Air-To-Air Energy Recovery in HVAC Systems p2

Contents
Introduction ...................................................................................................... 1
Why Recover Energy?
................................................................................ 2
Economics ................................................................................................................ 2
Compliance with Codes .......................................................................................... 2
Applications for Air-to-Air Energy Recovery
............................... 5
Basic Concepts ........................................................................................................

Sensible versus Total Energy Recovery ..........................................................
Effectiveness Ratio ............................................................................................
Balanced versus Unbalanced Airflows ............................................................
5
5
7
7
Outdoor-Air (OA) Preconditioning ......................................................................... 9

Sensible versus Total Energy Recovery .......................................................... 9
Effect on First Cost .......................................................................................... 13
Effect on Operating Costs ............................................................................... 16
Other Considerations ...................................................................................... 18
Supply-Air (SA) Tempering ..................................................................................
Supply-Air Tempering in Mixed-Air Systems ...............................................
Supply-Air Tempering in Dedicated Outdoor-Air Systems .........................
Effect on First Cost ..........................................................................................
Effect on Operating Costs ...............................................................................
Other Considerations ......................................................................................
20
21
26
32
33
37
Energy-Recovery Technologies .......................................................... 38
SYS-APM003-EN
Coil Loop ................................................................................................................

Typical Performance .......................................................................................
Capacity Control ..............................................................................................
Frost Prevention ..............................................................................................
Cross-Leakage ..................................................................................................
Coil Loop with Three Coils ..............................................................................
38
38
40
41
42
42
Fixed-Plate Heat Exchanger ..................................................................................

Cross-Leakage ..................................................................................................
43
43
44
45
46
Heat Pipe ................................................................................................................

Cross-Leakage ..................................................................................................
47
47
49
50
50
Rotary Heat Exchanger .........................................................................................

Cross-Leakage ..................................................................................................
51
52
53
55
57
iii
Contents
ARI Standard 1060 ................................................................................................ 60
Standard Rating Conditions ........................................................................... 61
Using EATR and OACF for System Design ................................................... 62
System-Level Control of Recovered Energy ..............................
65
OA Preconditioning:
Dedicated OA System for Neutral-Temperature Air ....................................
Dedicated OA Systems for Cold Air ..............................................................
CV-MA Systems for Modulated-Temperature Supply Air ...........................
VAV-MA Systems for Constant-Temperature Supply Air ...........................
68
71
74
77
SA Tempering:
Dedicated OA System for Neutral-Temperature Air .................................... 80
CV-MA Systems for Modulated-Temperature Supply Air ........................... 82
Applications that Combine OA Preconditioning and SA Tempering ...............
Dual-Function, Dedicated OA System for Neutral-Temperature Air ..........
Alternatives for Tempering with Sensible-Energy Recovery ......................
Tempering (Recooling) in an Active-Desiccant System ..............................
Suggestions for Effective Airside Energy Recovery
84
84
88
88
............. 90
OA Preconditioning ..............................................................................................
Sensible- or Total-Energy Recovery? ............................................................
Central or Local OA Preconditioning? ...........................................................
Minimizing Life-Cycle Cost .............................................................................
90
90
93
95
SA Tempering ....................................................................................................... 98
Sensible- or Total-Energy Recovery? ............................................................ 98
Series or Parallel Arrangement? .................................................................... 98
Minimizing Life-Cycle Cost ........................................................................... 100
Glossary
.......................................................................................................... 102
References
Index
iv
..................................................................................................... 106
...................................................................................................................108
SYS-APM003-EN
Energy-Recovery Technologies
Additional information on these and

other air-to-air, energy-recovery
technologies can be found in the Air-toAir Energy Recovery chapter of the
ASHRAE HandbookHVAC Systems
and Equipment. To order a copy, visit
ASHRAEs online bookstore at
www.ashrae.org.
Of the methods for recovering airside energy, coil loops, fixed-plate heat
exchangers, heat pipes, and rotary heat exchangers (or wheels) are the most
commonly used. As summarized in Table 6, coil loops and heat pipes recover
sensible energy; fixed-plate heat exchangers and wheels can recover either
sensible or total energy. This chapter reviews the typical performance,
advantages and disadvantages, methods of capacity control and frost
prevention, and cross-leakage characteristics for each of these airside energyrecovery technologies. See Table 14 (p. 64) for a comparative overview.
Table 6. Common air-to-air energy-recovery technologies

Sensible-Energy Recovery
Total-Energy Recovery
Coil loops
Heat pipes
Fixed-plate heat exchangers
Fixed-membrane heat exchangers
Rotary heat exchangers

(also known as sensible-energy wheels or
heat wheels)
Rotary heat exchangers

(also known as total-energy wheels or
enthalpy wheels)
Coil Loop
Figure 30. Coil loop
A coil loopalso called a coil runaround loopconsists of two or more

finned-tube coils that are piped together in a closed loop; see Figure 30. A small
pump circulates the working fluid (usually a solution of inhibited glycol and
water) through the two coils. An expansion tank and a means for modulating
capacity, either a three-way mixing valve or a variable-speed drive on the
pump, complete this energy-recovery device.
Coil loops are the most flexible of all air-to-air energy-recovery devices because
they can transfer energy between air streams that are physically separated by
some distance, which makes coil loops particularly advantageous in retrofit
situations. Also, a coil loop can recover energy from multiple exhaust-air
streams (using multiple exhaust-side coils). Of course, recovering energy from
multiple exhaust air streams requires additional coils, more piping and glycol,
and a larger pump.
Typical Performance
Coil-loop selections are typically based on a sensible effectiveness of 45 percent
to 65 percent, assuming balanced airflow, and an airside static-pressure loss of
0.3 to 1.0 in. wg (75 to 250 Pa) per coil. The flexibility of the coil loop lets the
38
SYS-APM003-EN
Coil Loop
Figure 31. Sensible effectiveness versus face velocity in coil loops
designer vary the number of rows, spacing and type of fins, face velocity, and
fluid flow rate to optimize the device for a specific application.
Figure 31 and Figure 32 depict
representative coil-loop performance.
Given the design flexibility of coils, coil
loops can be selected for a broad range
of performance requirements.
Adding more rows and fins to the coils increases the sensible effectiveness of
the coil loopbut it also causes the fan(s) to consume more energy because it
increases the static pressure loss in the air distribution system. See Figure 31
and Figure 32. In other words, the cool-loop design with the highest
effectiveness may not yield the best net energy savings (that is, energy saved
through recovery minus additional fan and pump energy consumed).
Figure 32. Airside pressure drop versus face velocity in coil loops
SYS-APM003-EN
39
Coil Loop
When a coil loop is used to precondition outdoor air, for example, its payback
usually can be improved by basing the coil selections on the lowest possible
fluid flow rate and face velocity. Although a higher fluid flow rate will increase
the sensible effectiveness of the coil loop, it will also necessitate a larger, more
expensive pump and larger pipingand will increase the energy consumption
of the pump.
To maximize net energy savings (best payback), select coils with fewer rows
(four or six) and wider fin spacing (120 fins/ft). This design strategy reduces
the pressure drop through the coil loop.
To maximize effectiveness and, therefore, the amount of heat recovered,

select coils with more rows (eight) and with closely spaced fins (144 fins/ft).
This design strategy generally offers the greatest downsizing potential for
cooling and heating plants.
Note: Turbulators inside the coil tubes improve heat transfer (and effectiveness)
without requiring an increased rate of fluid flow through the coil.
Position the pump upstream of the supply-side coil (Figure 30, p. 38) so that the
pumps heat of compression is applied to the fluid entering that coil. Raising the
temperature difference between the fluid and the air flowing through the
supply-side coil improves the heat-recovery capacity of the loop during cold
weather.
For a coil loop that tempers supply air and is configured in a series
arrangement, use two-row coils whenever possible. Minimizing the number of
coil rows lessens any adverse effect on the energy consumption of the fan.
Capacity Control
Providing a means of capacity controleither a three-way mixing valve or a
variable-speed drive on the pumpprevents the coil loop from overheating the
supply air during mild weather.
A temperature sensor in the supply air stream, downstream of the supply-side
coil, monitors the leaving-air temperature. The mixing valve then appropriately
modulates the fluid flow rate through the supply-side coil. When less fluid flows
through the supply-side coil, the loop adds less heat to the supply air stream. (If
the pump is equipped with a variable-speed drive, then the capacity of the loop
is controlled by modulating the fluid flow rate through the entire coil loop.)
Both the mixing valve and the variable-speed drive can provide equally
effective capacity control. The variable-speed drive is easier to apply, however,
because the location of the three-way mixing valve is critical for proper
operation during the frost prevention mode. The variable-speed drive also
saves pumping energy; however, the savings potential is slight because the
pump already consumes only a modest amount of energy.
40
SYS-APM003-EN
Coil Loop
Table 7. Considerations for recovering energy with coil loops

Advantages
Transfers energy between air streams that

are separated by distance, simplifying
retrofits
No cross-leakage between air streams
Flexible design/application: Coils can be

selected for the optimum amount of energy
transfer, making them less expensive than
other energy-recovery devices
Easily turned off when energy recovery is not

beneficial
Easy to control
Fits readily within the casing of a packaged

air handler
Disadvantages
Transfers only sensible heat
May require an expansion tank to

accommodate expansion and contraction of
heat-transfer fluid
Requires design and field installation of

piping, pump, expansion tank, and mixing
valve (or variable-speed drive)
Requires maintenance of the pump
Note: In outdoor-air preconditioning applications when the temperature outside

is warmer than the desired supply-air temperature but cooler than the exhaustair temperature, turn off the coil-loop pump to avoid transferring unwanted heat
into the supply air stream.
Applying a coil loop for outdoor-air preconditioning in a mixed-air system that
includes an airside economizer entails additional design considerations:
Size the coil loop to handle only the minimum ventilation airflow, not full
economizer airflow.
Use bypass dampers in both air streams to reduce fan energy consumption
when the coil loop is inactive.
Bypass dampers, if present, can also control capacity (and inhibit frost
formation on the exhaust-side coil, in some climates), thereby eliminating
the need for a mixing valve or variable-speed drive for the pump.
For further discussion of exhaust-air bypass for capacity control, refer to
Rotary Heat Exchangers (pp. 5355).
Frost Prevention
In outdoor-air preconditioning applications, the same three-way mixing valve or
variable-speed drive that controls the heating capacity of the coil loop can be
used to prevent frost from forming on the exhaust-side coil. Frost prevention is
triggered by a temperature sensor that monitors the temperature of the fluid
entering the exhaust-side coil (Figure 30, p. 38). If the sensor detects a fluid
temperature that is colder than 30F to 32F (-1.1C to 0C), then the three-way
mixing valve redirects the warm fluid leaving the exhaust-side coil into the fluid
SYS-APM003-EN
41
Coil Loop
returning from the supply-side coil. A variable-speed pump can provide the
same protective function by reducing the fluid flow rate through the entire loop.
In either case, the protective action of the mixing valve or the variable-speed
pump raises the temperature of the fluid entering the exhaust-side coil and
keeps the surface temperature of the coil above 32F (0C) to prevent frost from
forming. Both methods of frost prevention are easy to implement; however,
they also limit the amount of heat that can be recovered during the coldest
times of the year. Consequently, less opportunity exists to downsize heating
equipment. (Preheat can effectively prevent frost formation, too; see p. 56.)
Cross-Leakage
Coil loops are particularly popular for applications such as hospitals and
laboratories in which minimizing the risk of contamination is critical. The two
air streams can be physically separated from each other, and the working fluid
that transfers heat between them is isolated within a closed piping loop.
Although the coil loop, by itself, cannot cause cross-leakage, it is important to
identify other possible paths of contamination. If the coils of the loop are
housed within a single air handler, the air-handler casing may not be leakproof.
To reduce the risk of cross-leakage in this situation, arrange the supply and
exhaust fans so that the pressure in the exhaust side of the air handler is less
than the pressure on the supply side. (See Table 11, p. 58, for more information
about minimizing the risk of cross-leakage.)
Cross-contamination can also occur between the air streams if the exhaust-air
outlet and the outdoor-air intake are improperly positioned or if certain wind
directions can cause the exhaust air to reenter the building through the intake
opening.
Coil Loop with Three Coils

Figure 33. Coil loop with three coils
A coil loop need not be limited to only two coils. Figure 33 illustrates a design
that uses a single, three-coil loop to either precondition the outdoor air or
temper the supply air. (In this case, a variable-speed pump provides capacity
control and frost prevention. Alternatively, these functions could be performed
by several three-way mixing valves.) A two-position control valve determines
which function the coil loop will perform by converting the loop from a
parallel configuration to a series arrangement.
During dehumidification, when the cooling coil dries the supply air, the control
valve directs the working fluid through the coils arranged in series with the
cooling coil. The cooling coil dehumidifies the passing supply air. Meanwhile,
the coil loop removes sensible heat from the air upstream of the cooling coil
(reducing the cooling coil load) and transfers it downstream of the cooling coil,
where the recovered heat tempers the dehumidified supply air. When it
42
SYS-APM003-EN
Plate Heat
Exchanger
functions in the series arrangement described here, this coil-loop design saves
both cooling energy and reheat energy.
When mechanical cooling is unnecessary and the temperature outside is cooler
than the desired supply-air temperature, the same coil loop heats the entering
outdoor air. The control valve redirects the working fluid through the parallel
arrangement of the coil loop, which transfers heat from the exhaust-air path to
the outdoor-air path, upstream of the cooling coil. (Adding recovered heat
upstream of a chilled-water cooling coil, as shown in Figure 33, may provide
adequate freeze protection for the coil.)
A coil-loop design with three coils provides more energy savings and a greater
opportunity to downsize equipment than a conventional two-coil design.
Depending on the application, it may also eliminate the need to protect the
cooling coil from freezing during cold weather. Together, these benefits may
economically justify the additional first cost of the extra coil and control
valve.
Fixed-Plate Heat Exchanger

Figure 34. Fixed-plate heat exchanger
As its name implies, a fixed-plate heat exchanger consists of alternate layers of

thermally conductive plates that are sealed to form separate passages for two
air streams; see Figure 34. The plates are constructed from aluminum or other
materials with a similarly high thermal conductivity. Unlike the coil loop, which
uses separate heat-exchanging devices (coils) to collect heat from one air
stream and release it into another, the fixed-plate heat exchanger packages
both functions within the same device.
Fixed-plate heat exchangers exist in various configurations, materials, and
capacities; of the available flow patterns, cross-flow is the most common. The
plates in most of these devices transfer only sensible heat between the two air
streams. An exception is the fixed-membrane heat exchanger, which can
transfer both sensible heat and moisture. Its plates are membranes of a
paper-like material that allows moisture, as well as sensible heat, to transfer
from one air stream to the other. Fixed-membrane heat exchangers are typically
limited to residential applications because of their small capacity (usually less
than 1,500 cfm [0.7 m/s]), relatively high static-pressure drop, and lack of selfcleaning.
Typical Performance
Fixed-plate heat exchangers compare favorably with other types of airside
energy-recovery devices because they transfer heat directly from one air stream
to another without an intermediate exchange medium. With balanced airflows,
sensible effectiveness typically ranges from 60 percent to 70 percent. (For a coil
SYS-APM003-EN
43
Plate Heat
Exchanger
Figure 35. Sensible effectiveness versus face velocity in fixed-plate heat exchangers
loop to match the recovery capacity of a fixed-plate heat exchanger, it must be

equipped with eight-row coils.) In outdoor-air preconditioning applications, a
fixed-plate heat exchanger with a sensible effectiveness of 60 percent usually
affords the best balance between the initial cost of the device and the savings it
provides in operating cost.
representative performance for fixedplate heat exchangers. ARI Standard
1060 (p. 60) certifies the performance of
these devices, enabling accurate
comparisons between manufacturers
and with other energy-recovery
technologies.
Adding more plates to a fixed-plate heat exchanger increases the sensible

effectiveness of the device; however, it also increases the size and weight of the
device. See Figure 35 and Figure 36. More importantly, it increases the airside
pressure drop, which in turn increases the energy consumption of the fan(s).
The incremental improvement in actual performance seldom justifies the added
first cost of additional plates.
Fixed-plate heat exchangers are most commonly used in applications with
airflows less than 10,000 cfm (4.7 m/s). Adding one of these devices will
increase the static-pressure drop by 0.6 to 1.4 in. wg (150 to 350 Pa) through
each side of the air distribution system.
Capacity Control
Face-and-bypass dampers (Figure 37) are most often used to control the
capacity of a fixed-plate heat exchanger. During mild weather, the face dampers
modulate closed and the linked bypass dampers open to reduce airflow
through the exhaust side of the heat exchanger. Positioning the dampers in this
way avoids overheating the supply air by reducing the amount of heat transfer
that occurs in the heat exchanger. Air therefore leaves the supply side of the
heat exchanger at a lower temperature.
44
SYS-APM003-EN
Plate Heat
Exchanger
Figure 36. Airside pressure drop versus face velocity in fixed-plate heat exchangers
Bypassing air around the exhaust side of the heat exchanger forces all of the
entering outdoor air to pass through the heat exchanger, which minimizes
temperature stratification in the supply air stream.
Frost Prevention
Figure 37. Face-and-bypass dampers
Of all airside energy-recovery devices, the fixed-plate heat exchanger is the

most susceptible to frost because of its high sensible effectiveness and crossflow configuration. Frost prevention is only an issue if the heat exchanger is
used to precondition outdoor air; it is unnecessary for supply-air tempering.
As shown in Figure 38 (p. 46), frost is most likely to develop in the corner of the
heat exchanger where the cold entering outdoor air recovers heat from the
exhaust air on the leaving edge of the heat exchanger. In this corner, regardless
of the amount of moisture in the exhaust air stream, the exhaust air is in contact
with the coldest surface of the heat exchanger, which approximates the entering
outdoor-air condition. This means that frost will form when the outdoor air
drops below 32F DB (0C DB).
In some climates, the same face-and-bypass dampers that control capacity
can also provide frost protection. If the climate is too cold to rely on face-andbypass dampers, however, the heat exchanger should be equipped with
another frost-preventing device. Some heat-exchanger manufacturers add a
damper to divert exhaust air away from the cold corner when frost may occur;
others create temporary warm spots using a moving plate. Another frostprevention technique requires two heat exchangers and alternates their use
every 90 seconds. Finally, one can simply bypass all of the outdoor air around
the heat exchanger and use supplemental heat to melt the ice.
SYS-APM003-EN
45
Fixed-Plate
Heat
Figure 38. Cold spot in a fixed-plate heat exchanger
RA
Figure 39. Frost-avoidance damper
Figure 39 shows an integral frost-avoidance damper that diverts air away

from the cold corner of the heat exchanger. A temperature sensor monitors the
temperature of the exhaust air leaving the cold corner of the heat exchanger.
When the monitored temperature falls below the frost threshold, the frostavoidance damper closes to divert the entering outdoor air away from that
corner. The temperature in the cold corner of the heat exchanger remains above
freezing, which allows the heat exchanger to operate at much lower outdoor
temperatures. If extremely cold outdoor temperatures are expected, add a
preheat coil to warm the entering outdoor air above the frost-threshold
condition.
Cross-Leakage
Little cross-leakage occurs between the air streams as they pass through a
fixed-plate heat exchanger, but such devices are not leakproof. High-quality
designs use an effective plate sealing system to minimize leakage between the
air streams. If the small amount of cross-leakage is of concern, arrange the
supply and exhaust fans so that the pressure on the exhaust side of the heat
exchanger is less than the pressure on the supply side. (See Table 11, p. 58, for
more information about minimizing the risk of cross-leakage.)
Remember, too, that cross-leakage can also occur through the air-handler
casing and between the buildings exhaust-air outlet and outdoor-air intake. If
these openings are improperly located, or under certain wind conditions,
exhaust air leaving the building may reenter through the outdoor-air intake.
46
SYS-APM003-EN
Heat Pipe
Table 8. Considerations for recovering energy with fixed-plate heat exchangers

Advantages
Disadvantages
Relatively high sensible effectiveness
Transfers only sensible energy (heat)
Little cross-leakage between air streams
Requires adjacent air streams
Easy to clean
Relatively high frost threshold
Heavy
High first cost in large applications
Heat Pipe
Figure 40. Heat-pipe assembly
Adapted, by permission, from Innergytech Inc.
Figure 41. Cross section of heat-pipe tube
A heat pipe resembles a finned-tube coil; see Figure 40 and Figure 41. Each
of its large tubes is an independent, sealed container that is filled with a heattransfer fluid (typically a chemical refrigerant). A partition divides the air side
of the heat pipe into separate evaporator and condenser sections. The
capillary wick structure within the pipe walls induces refrigerant flow between
the evaporator and condenser without the help of a compressor or pump.
Heres how
Two air streams flow across each heat pipe: warm air flows across the
evaporator and cool air flows across the condenser. The refrigerant inside
the evaporator evaporates as it absorbs heat from the warm air. Given the
comparative coolness of the air flowing over the condenser, the refrigerant
vapor pressure is lower in that section of the heat pipe than in the evaporator.
The difference in vapor pressures causes the refrigerant vapor to migrate from
the evaporator to the condenser. Cool air flowing over the condenser
absorbs heat from the refrigerant vapor, which causes the refrigerant to
condense. The liquid refrigerant then wicks back to the evaporator section
of the heat pipe and the cycle repeats.
The direction of heat transfer reverses when the relative temperatures of the
two air streams switch. In an outdoor-air preconditioning application, for
example, when the outdoor air is warmer than the exhaust air, the evaporator
is in the outdoor air stream and the condenser is in the exhaust air stream.
When the outdoor air is cooler than the exhaust air, the evaporator is in the
exhaust air stream and the condenser is in the outdoor air stream.
Typical Performance
Heat pipes are typically selected for a sensible effectiveness of 30 to 55 percent,
with balanced airflow. Airside pressure drops range from 0.2 to 0.8 in. wg (50 Pa
to 200 Pa), based on the number of tube rows and the number of fins.
Adapted, by permission, from Innergytech Inc.
SYS-APM003-EN
Figure 42 and Figure 43 (p. 48) illustrate the effect of adding more rows to the
heat pipe. The sensible effectiveness of the device increases, as does the fan
47
Heat Pipe
Figure 42. Sensible effectiveness versus face velocity for heat pipes

representative performance for heat
pipes. ARI Standard 1060 (p. 60)
certifies the performance of these
devices, enabling accurate comparisons
between manufacturers and with other
energy-recovery technologies.
energy required to overcome the additional static pressure drop. A heat pipe
that is selected for maximum effectiveness and, therefore, maximum heat
recovery will differ from a heat pipe that is selected for the best payback from
energy savings. Consider these guidelines when choosing a heat pipe for a
particular energy-recovery application:
To precondition outdoor air, select the heat pipe based on the lowest
possible face velocity. Four or six rows of tubes usually provide optimal
heat-pipe selections.
Figure 43. Airside pressure drop versus face velocity for heat pipes
48
SYS-APM003-EN
Heat Pipe
To temper supply air, choose a two-row heat pipe if the device is applied in a
series arrangement. Fewer rows lessens the impact on fan energy
consumption.
Capacity Control
Heat pipes, like other devices that recover sensible energy, require a means of
capacity control to avoid overheating the supply air when the weather is mild.
The extent to which capacity must be controlledpartial reduction versus
modulation and shutoffdetermines which of two common methods is used:
tilt control or face-and-bypass dampers.
Tilt control partially reduces the transfer capacity of the heat pipe. Tilting the
heat pipe to elevate the evaporator end of the tubes above the condenser end
slows the rate at which the liquid refrigerant flows back to the evaporator.
The steeper the tilt angle, the slower the rate of flow and the less heat that can
be recovered and transferred to the air leaving the supply side of the heat pipe.
Given the finite extent of tilt (usually 4 to 6), this method provides only a
limited range of capacity control; consequently, it may not prevent unnecessary
heat transfer in all applications and climates.
Figure 44 illustrates how tilt control can be accomplished. An actuator is
attached to one end of the heat pipe. To permit free movement throughout the
range of tilt, a pivot is provided at the center of the heat-pipe support and
flexible connectors attach the heat pipe to the ductwork.
Figure 44. Tilt-control mechanism for regulating heat-pipe capacity
pivot
Adapted from ASHRAE Handbook2000 HVAC Systems and Equipment, Figure 20, page 44.17.
SYS-APM003-EN
49
Heat Pipe
Face-and-bypass dampers provide an alternative means of capacity control.
During mild weather, the face dampers modulate closed and the linked bypass
dampers open to reduce airflow across one end of the heat pipe. Fully closing
the face dampers and fully opening the bypass dampers effectively turns off the
heat pipe.
Note: Some equipment designs use solenoid valves to regulate or stop the flow
of refrigerant in the heat pipe when little or no heat is desired.
Frost Prevention
In outdoor-air preconditioning applications, the tilt mechanism or face-andbypass dampers that control capacity also can be used to prevent frost
formation during cold weather. Reducing the capacity of the heat pipe increases
the temperature at which the exhaust air stream leaves the heat pipe, which
prevents frost from forming; however, it also reduces the opportunity to
downsize the heating plant. The exact temperature at which frost will form
depends on the amount of moisture contained in the exhaust air stream.
If extremely cold weather is expected, it may be necessary to add a preheat coil
to ensure that the entering outdoor air remains above the frost threshold.
Table 9. Considerations for recovering energy with heat pipes

Advantages
Disadvantages
Little cross-leakage between air streams
Contains refrigerant
Relatively low maintenance
Transfers only sensible energy (heat)
Can be packaged inside an air handler
Requires external face-and-bypass dampers

to prevent unwanted heat transfer
Cross-Leakage
The ARI 1060 certification program
(discussed on pp. 6063) shows that
heat pipes are susceptible to crossleakage. Refer to the PrimeNet
directories at www.ari.org to find the
certified performanceincluding
cross-leakageof specific, rated
products.
50
Despite the proximity required, a minimal amount of cross-leakage occurs

between the two air streams that pass through the heat pipe. A solid partition
separates the evaporator and condenser sections of the device, and the
working fluid that serves as the heat-transfer medium is sealed within the heatpipe tubes. Risk of cross-leakage can increase, however, if the integrity of the
seal around the partition degrades over the life of the device.
Beyond the heat-pipe assembly, two other potential paths of cross-leakage
must be considered: the casing of the air handler that typically houses the heat
pipe, and the exhaust- and outdoor-air openings in the building envelope. To
reduce the likelihood of cross-leakage via the air-handler casing, arrange the
supply and exhaust fans so that the pressure in the exhaust end of the air
handler is less than the pressure in the supply end. (For further details, see
Table 11, p. 58.)
SYS-APM003-EN
Rotary Heat
Exchanger
Wind passing over a building creates turbulence that, under specific conditions,
may force exhaust air to reenter the building through the outdoor-air intake. To
minimize this risk, determine the proper location for the buildings exhaust- and
outdoor-air openings based on atmospheric conditions and building geometry.
Rotary Heat Exchanger

Rotary heat exchangers, commonly called wheels, consist of a revolving
cylinder that rotates between two air streams. Heat transfer is accomplished as
the air streams pass through a matrix of channels that direct the air through the
wheel in a counterflow arrangement. The nature of the heat-transfer medium
determines whether the wheel will transfer only sensible heat or both sensible
heat and moisture.
The channels in a sensible-energy wheel (or heat wheel) are constructed of
aluminum, copper, stainless steel, or other thermally conductive materials that
do not absorb moisture. As the wheel rotates, the channels absorb sensible
heat from the warmer of the two air streams and reject it to the cooler air
stream.
A total-energy wheel (also known as an enthalpy wheel or passive desiccant
wheel) transfers both sensible heat and moisture. The matrix of channels in a
total-energy wheel usually consists of a fibrous material (such as paper), plastic,
or aluminum. To promote moisture transfer, the channel surfaces are coated
with a desiccant material, that is, a substance that has a strong affinity for water
vapor and an enormous internal surface area. While the wheel rotates through
Figure 45. Total-energy wheel and examples of heat-transfer media
SYS-APM003-EN
51
Rotary Heat
Exchanger
the two air streams, it absorbs sensible heat and moisture from the hot, humid
air stream and releases it into the cooler, drier air stream.
The differences between the temperature and moisture content of the two air
streams creates a vapor-pressure differential that provides the driving force
needed to transfer water vapor. In many climates, the ability to transfer
moisture is useful year-round, dehumidifying during the cooling season and
humidifying during the heating season.
Typical Performance

representative performance for totalenergy wheels. ARI Standard 1060
(p. 60) certifies the performance of these
devices, enabling accurate comparisons
between manufacturers and with other
energy-recovery technologies.
Heat-transfer capacity for a wheel is determined by the size of the channels,

rotational speed, wheel diameter, wheel depth, and, in the case of a totalenergy wheel, the amount of desiccant used. Wheels have good effectiveness
regardless of wheel channel shape. With balanced airflows, sensible-energy
wheels typically perform at a sensible effectiveness of 60 percent to 80 percent;
they also create a pressure drop that can range from 0.5 to 1.0 in. wg (125 Pa to
250 Pa). Total-energy wheels perform with a total effectiveness that typically
ranges from 65 percent to 80 percent (assuming balanced airflows) and creating
a pressure drop of 0.7 to 1.2 in. wg (175 to 300 Pa).
In outdoor-air preconditioning applications, a total-energy wheel with an
effectiveness of about 70 percent usually provides the optimal balance between
first cost and operating-cost savings. Increased effectiveness requires more
media and lower face velocities, necessitating a larger air handler; see Figure 46
and Figure 47. This incremental cost seldom justifies the performance
improvement.
Figure 46. Total effectiveness versus face velocity for total-energy wheels
52
SYS-APM003-EN
Rotary Heat
Exchanger
Figure 47. Airside pressure drop versus face velocity for total-energy wheels
Compared to other airside energy-recovery technologies, rotary heat

exchangers are self-cleaning. Small, dry particles pass through the wheel
channels; larger particles blow clear as the wheel rotates and the direction of
airflow reverses. The wheel may be manufactured in a single piece or as
multiple segments. Segmented wheels allow for easier removal for service
(cleaning).
Table 10. Considerations for recovering energy with rotary heat exchangers
Advantages
Disadvantages
Total-energy wheels transfer both sensible

heat and moisture (latent energy)
Sensible-energy wheels transfer only

sensible heat
High effectiveness
Can be packaged inside an air handler
May permit cross-leakage between air

streams
Self-cleaning with respect to dry particles
Belt, motor, and bearings require periodic

maintenance
Capacity Control
Modulating the capacity of a rotary heat exchanger is usually accomplished by
diverting a portion of the air around either side of the wheel, or by varying its
rotational speed using a variable-frequency drive (VFD) connected to the wheel
motor.
Figure 48 (p. 54) illustrates an air-handler configuration that places a
conventional damper parallel to the wheel. In this arrangement, only exhaust
SYS-APM003-EN
53
Rotary Heat
Exchanger
Figure 48. Air handler with a rotary heat exchanger and exhaust-air bypass dampers
air bypasses the wheel. Forcing all of the outdoor air to pass through the wheel
minimizes temperature stratification of the air leaving the wheel and may
eliminate the need to protect downstream hydronic coils from freezing.
After comparing the stability, reliability, cost, and flexibility of these control
methods, we recommend exhaust-air bypass for modulating the capacity of
rotary heat exchangers for two reasons:
Exhaust-air bypass provides a more linear unloading characteristic than a

VFD, which simplifies capacity control and results in more stable control of
the leaving air temperature.
As shown in Figure 49, a VFD must slow the rotation of the wheel to
50 percent of nominal speed to achieve a 10-percent reduction in sensible
effectiveness (capacity). Beyond that point, capacity drops off rapidly.
Exhaust-air bypass provides a wider range of capacity control. Typically, a

VFD can slow the motor to 33 percent of nominal speed (a 67-percent
reduction of the rotations per minute). At that rotational rate, however, the
sensible effectiveness (capacity) of the wheel is still 80 percent of nominal.
In mixed-air systems that include airside economizers, the same damper that
allows increased exhaust airflow during the economizer mode can also
modulate the capacity of the rotary heat exchanger.
Note: Base the size of the rotary heat exchanger on the minimum outdoor
airflow required for ventilation, not on full economizer airflow, in mixed-air
applications. This design strategy lowers the first cost of the heat exchanger
and, if bypass dampers are used, it avoids imposing the pressure drop of the
wheel during airside economizing.
54
SYS-APM003-EN
Rotary Heat
Exchanger
Figure 49. Typical response of capacity-control methods for rotary heat exchangers
Frost Prevention
Frost begins to form on a sensible wheel at a much higher outdoor temperature
than on a total-energy wheel. This is because a total-energy wheel removes
moisture from the exhaust air stream, which lowers the dew point and delays
when the exhaust air finally becomes saturated. (See Figure 13, p. 19.) Figure 50
illustrates how to predict the dry-bulb temperature at which frost will begin to
form on a total-energy wheel. On a psychrometric chart, plot the return air
condition (RA); then draw a line, tangent to the saturation curve, through this
point. The frost thresholdthat is, the outdoor dry-bulb temperature at
which frost formation can beginis the point where the tangent line touches
the saturation curve.
Notice that frost does not necessarily form on the wheel at outdoor dry-bulb
temperatures colder than 32F (0C). In Figure 50, for example, frost prevention
only becomes necessary when the temperature outside falls below 0F (-17.8C).
Figure 50. Determining the frost threshold temperature
SYS-APM003-EN
55
Rotary Heat
Exchanger
Together, the humidity ratio of the exhaust air and the dry-bulb temperature of
the outdoor air determine which of three frost-prevention methods
preheating the entering air, reducing the wheels capacity, or turning off the
wheelbest suits a particular application.
Preheat entering outdoor (or exhaust) air. Raising the dry-bulb
temperature of the entering outdoor air prevents the surface temperature of the
wheel from becoming so cold that frost forms on the exhaust side. Unlike other
methods of frost prevention, it also means that the wheel can continue
operating at full capacityrecovering as much energy as possible. The preheat
coil is controlled to maintain the leaving-air temperature above the frost
threshold.
Note: For applications with electric preheat coils, adhere to the manufacturers
guidelines for installation and placement to assure proper airflow across the
heating elements and to minimize temperature stratification in the leaving air.
Speed Control and

Frost Prevention Dont Mix
At least not in total-energy-wheel
applications. As the rotation of a totalenergy wheel slows, both its latent and
sensible effectiveness (capacity)
decreasebut not at the same rate; see
Figure 49 (p. 55).
When the wheel begins to slow, its
ability to remove moisture (latent
effectiveness) from the exhaust air
stream decreases faster than its ability
to raise the dry-bulb temperature of the
exhaust air (sensible effectiveness). The
likelihood of frost actually increases
because the exhaust air reaches the
saturated condition more quickly.
Further slowing the wheels rotation
prevents frost, but it significantly
reduces heat transfer, too. With leavingair temperatures well below freezing on
the supply side of the wheel,
downstream hydronic coils often need
additional protection from freezing.
56
Some system designs preheat the exhaust-side air stream instead of the
supply-side air stream. Why? Because a hot water or steam coil can be used
without fear of coil freeze-up and without adding glycol to the hot water loop.
Although this design requires a slightly larger preheat coil to prevent frost, it
also increases the temperature differential between the two air streams, which
transfers more sensible heat to the outdoor air stream. (In specific applications,
preheating the exhaust-side air stream may eliminate the need for a heating
coil in the air handler.) Make sure that the air temperature leaving the preheat
coil does not exceed the maximum operating temperature of the selected totalenergy wheel.
Preheat is recommended for climates with extreme winter conditions, for
applications in which the exhaust-air humidity ratio is high during the winter, or
for systems that include mechanical humidification. When compared with other
methods of frost prevention, preheat provides the most energy recovery during
peak winter conditions.
Reduce the capacity of the wheel (outdoor-air bypass). Moisture
condenses on the exhaust side of the wheel when the exhaust air stream
becomes saturated and the wheel surface is colder than 32F (0C). Therefore,
another way to deter frost formation is to prevent the exhaust air from reaching
the saturation curve. Transferring less total energythat is, reducing the
capacity of the wheelyields cooler air leaving the supply side of the wheel
and warmer air leaving the exhaust side. However, this method also reduces
the opportunity to downsize the heating plant.
As described on pp. 5354, air can be diverted around one side of the wheel to
reduce its capacity. Rather than place the bypass damper in the exhaust air
path, however, locate it in the outdoor air path to bypass part of the outdoor air
around the supply side of the wheel. This arrangement prevents the exhaust air
from reaching the saturated condition by becoming too cold, but it also diverts
SYS-APM003-EN
Rotary Heat
Exchanger
cold outdoor air around the wheel. In many climates, adding an air blender will
provide sufficient freeze protection for the hydronic coils downstream of the
wheel.
Note: When outdoor-air bypass is used for frost prevention, the same supplyside bypass damper also can provide capacity control. Outdoor-air bypass is
best used in mild climates where frost conditions occur during only a few hours
of the year. Freeze protection may still be required to adequately safeguard the
hydronic coils downstream of the wheel. Avoid using outdoor-air bypass in
systems that include mechanical humidification.
Turn off the wheel. The easiest and most reliable way to prevent frost is
to turn off the wheel when the outdoor temperature falls below the frost
threshold. This method eliminates the opportunity to downsize the heating
plant and requires full freeze protection for downstream coils, but in moderate
climates, it may be the most cost-effective option for mixed-air systems that
use a relatively low percentage of outdoor air.
Cross-Leakage
Leakage between the exhaust and supply air streams occurs in all rotary heat
exchangers, regardless of their respective designs. Because some amount of
cross-leakage is unavoidable, do not use wheels to precondition outdoor air for
occupied spaces when highly concentrated or hazardous contaminants exist in
the exhaust air stream. (An example of this type of application is a laboratory
fume hood that handles a carcinogenic substance or biohazard.) Instead, use a
coil loop, which has no potential for cross-leakage.
A small amount of cross-leakage of air that contains rest-room exhaust is often
acceptable in many applications, provided that it is sufficiently diluted with
fresh outdoor air. In these instances, rotary heat exchangers can be used to
recover energy from an air stream that includes rest-room exhaust.
Air leaks from one side of the wheel to another along three paths:
Through the seals, which have a typical leakage rate of 3 percent

to 5 percent
Through the matrix, which has a typical leakage rate of approximately

2 percent (If the matrix is fluted, leakage along this path is negligible.)
Via carryover as the wheel rotates, which represents a typical leakage rate
of approximately 2 percent
Each leakage path presents different application challenges and must be

controlled differently.
Generally, the amount and direction of cross-leakage through the seals and
matrix is controlled by managing the pressure difference between the supply
SYS-APM003-EN
57
Rotary Heat
Exchanger
and exhaust air streams. The configuration of the exhaust and supply fans with
respect to the rotary heat exchanger (blow-through versus draw-through)
affects this pressure difference; see Table 11. The best fan arrangement for a
particular application depends on the desired performance characteristics.
Table 11. Configuration versus cross-leakage through rotary heat exchangers

FanRotary Heat Exchanger Arrangement
Differential Pressure Characteristics

Draw-through exhaust, blow-through supply
Creates a comparatively higher static
pressure in the supply path
Draw-through exhaust, draw-through supply

Direction of leakage depends on the static
pressure difference between the supply and
exhaust air streams
Blow-through exhaust, draw-through supply

Creates a comparatively higher static
pressure in the exhaust path
OA
58
Best arrangement to minimize air leakage

from exhaust to supply through seals and
matrix
Little cross-leakage through seals and matrix

in most applications
Minimizes effect of pressure drop through

rotary heat exchanger on energy
consumption of fans
Design system so that static pressure in

exhaust path nearly equals static pressure in
supply path to minimize cross-leakage
Promotes good airflow across the wheel with

minimal leakage through seals and matrix
Design system so that static pressure in

exhaust path nearly equals static pressure in
supply path to minimize cross-leakage
Promotes significant leakage from exhaust

to supply through seals and matrix; avoid
using this arrangement
Air leaks from supply path to exhaust path
Blow-through exhaust, blow-through supply

Direction of leakage depends on the static
pressure difference between the supply and
exhaust air streams
Application Considerations
Air leaks from exhaust path to supply path
SA
SYS-APM003-EN
Rotary Heat
Exchanger
When it comes to controlling cross-leakage via carryover, fan arrangement
has no effect. Instead, wheel geometry and rotational speed determine how
much air the rotary heat exchanger will carry from one air stream to the other.
To minimize contamination between the air streams, some rotary heat
exchangers are provided with a purge section; see Figure 51. As the wheel
rotates, the channels in a 5-to-10 arc pass through the purge section. While
there, the channels are flushed with outdoor air that is immediately diverted
into the exhaust air stream.
Although the purge section minimizes contaminant carryover into the supply
air stream, it does nothing to mitigate leakage through the seals or matrix. It
also reduces the effectiveness and associated energy savings of the wheel.
Without the purge, however, there is no other means to control the carryover
path of cross-leakage between the air streams.
Most airside energy-recovery applications can tolerate a modest amount of
cross-leakage. In such cases, properly arranged fans and a wheel with an
effective sealing system often make a purge section unnecessary. Do not use
rotary heat exchangerswith or without a purgefor applications that require
absolutely no cross-leakage.
As for each of the previously discussed energy-recovery technologies, the
discussion of cross-leakage paths for rotary heat exchangers must include
the potential path through the air-handler casing and between the buildings
exhaust outlet and outdoor-air intake. Improper placement of these openings
or adverse wind conditions may induce exhaust air to reenter the building
through the outdoor air intake.
Figure 51. Rotary heat exchanger with purge section
SYS-APM003-EN
59
ARI Standard 1060
The Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) is a
voluntary, nonprofit organization comprised of manufacturers
of air-conditioning, refrigeration, and heating products.
Two of ARIs most important functions are the development of
performance rating standards and the administration of
performance certification programs for eligible products.
Participation in the programs is voluntary and open to
nonmembers of ARI on an equal basis.
The preceding excerpt from the Perspective section of the Air-to-Air Energy
Recovery Ventilation Equipment Certified Product Directory succinctly states the
important guidance that ARI provides to the industrys manufacturers,
engineers, installers, contractors, and users.
More specifically for this discussion, ARI Standard 10602000 defines
requirements for testing, rating, and marking these factory-made energyrecovery devices: heat-pipe heat exchangers, fixed-plate heat exchangers, and
rotary heat exchangers.
Run-around coil loops, however, are not addressed by Standard 1060 because
of the broad variability in design. Instead, ARI Standard 4101991, ForcedCirculation Air-Cooling and Air-Heating Coils, defines the testing, rating, and
marking requirements for individual coils. To determine the performance of a
particular run-around loop, simply apply the certified performance of the coils
in the effectiveness ratio equation. (See Fundamental Equations for Air-toAir Energy Recovery on p. 6.)
Note, too, that ARI Standard 1060 only pertains to applications in which the
energy-recovery device preconditions outdoor air; it does not govern supply-air
tempering. Furthermore, certification under this standard is limited solely to the
energy-recovery component. That is, the certified effectiveness of an energyrecovery device does not extend to its actual performance after it is installed in
a central air handler or packaged rooftop air conditioner.
Historically, manufacturers used various methods to calculate the effectiveness
of their air-to-air energy-recovery ventilation (AAERV) equipment, sometimes
overstating performance. By normalizing the effectiveness calculation, the ARI
Standard 1060 certification program:
60
Fosters confidence that a certified air-to-air energy-recovery component will

provide the specified performance
Permits equitable comparisons of energy-recovery devices from various

manufacturers
SYS-APM003-EN
Figure 52. Seal of certified performance
Accurately predicts leaving air conditions by rating sensible and latent

effectiveness separately (Technologies that transfer latent energy/moisture
are differentiated from those that do not.)
Documents cross-leakage data, which permits proper air-handler design and

application (including fan selection and ventilation control)
Permits more accurate sizingor more appropriately, downsizingof

heating and cooling plants
Eliminates the need for independent testing by a third party (ARI is one of
the industrys most reputable third-part testing organizations.)
Ultimately, the only way to properly compare equipment that includes an air-toair energy-recovery device to precondition outdoor air is to require certification
under ARI Standard 1060. Equipment specifications should require ARI-certified
performance and the ARI 1060 seal of certification (Figure 52).
Standard Rating Conditions

More information on ARI Standard
10602000, Rating Air-to-Air Energy
Recovery Ventilation Equipment, is
available from the Bookstore and
PrimeNet directories on the ARI Web
site (www.ari.org). ASHRAE Standard
84-1991 is available from ASHRAEs
online Bookstore at www.ashrae.org.
ARI 1060 defines certified rating points that measure sensible, latent, and total
effectiveness at both 100 percent and 75 percent of rated airflow. These airflow
conditions represent the typical selection range for AAERV devices. The test
procedure for certification uses equal airflows through the supply and exhaust
sides of the device, as defined by ASHRAE Standard 841991, Method of
Testing Air-to-Air Heat Exchangers. Effectiveness is then calculated (using the
effectiveness ratio equation found on p. 6) for the heating and cooling
conditions summarized in Table 12. The test also measures the airside pressure
drop at each rating condition.
A further requirement for ARI 1060 certification is a tracer-gas test that provides
two leakage measurementsthe exhaust air transfer ratio (EATR) and the
outdoor air correction factor (OACF)at three different deck-to-deck pressures.
Table 12. Standard rating conditions from ARI 10602000 1

Condition
Entering supply air
Cooling
dry-bulb temperature
35F
(1.7C)
95F
(35.0C)
wet-bulb temperature
33F
(0.6C)
78F
(26.0C)
Entering exhaust air dry-bulb temperature
70F
(21.0C)
75F
(24.0C)
wet-bulb temperature
58F
(14.0C)
63F
(17.0C)
SYS-APM003-EN
Heating
The standard rating conditions defined in Table 1 of ARI Standard 1060 2000 include rates for supply and exhaust
airflows, as well as pressure differentials for various performance tests.
61
Exhaust Air Transfer Ratio
Figure 53. EATR quantifies cross-leakage
Expressed as a percentage of downstream supply airflow, the exhaust air

transfer ratio (EATR) helps to quantify cross-leakage from the exhaust air
stream to the supply air stream. In Figure 53, the static pressure of the air
leaving the supply side of the wheel is 1.0 in. wg (250 Pa) greater than the static
pressure of the air entering the exhaust side. If the rotary heat exchanger in this
example has an EATR of 0.6 percent, then 60.4 cfm (0.03 m3/s) leaks into the
supply air stream from the exhaust side of the wheel.
EATR
air leakage from exhaust to supply = V2 ----------------100
SP supply SP exhaust = 1.0 in. wg ( 250 Pa )
If the predicted cross-leakage is too high for the specific application, it may be
possible to lower the EATR by rearranging the fans, adding a purge to the
wheel, or using a different energy-recovery device such as a coil loop. To
achieve the lowest EATR, use a blow-through fan on the supply side of the
wheel and a draw-through fan on the exhaust side.
Note: An arrangement that combines a blow-through supply fan with a blowthrough exhaust fan produces the least effect on fan energy consumption,
although its EATR is slightly higher.
Outdoor Air Correction Factor
Figure 54. OACF aids supply-fan sizing
The outdoor air correction factor (OACF) is defined as the supply-side airflow
upstream of the wheel (V1 ) divided by the supply-side airflow downstream of
the wheel (V2 ). This value is important for sizing the supply and exhaust fans
and is usually small unless the pressure difference between the air streams is
greater than 3.0 in. wg (750 Pa).
If the system includes an outdoor-airflow monitoring station or a flowmeasuring damper, its setpoint can be adjusted to compensate for the OACF
and thereby assure that the proper amount of outdoor air flows into the wheel
so that the required amount of outdoor air leaves the wheel.
Using EATR and OACF for System Design

The arrangement of the supply and exhaust fans, relative to the energyrecovery device, determines how the EATR and OACF values are used to
calculate the necessary capacity of each fan. Using the example shown in
Figure 54, the draw-through exhaust fan must be sized to deliver 11,167 cfm
(5.27 m/s). To assure that 10,000 cfm (4.7 m/s) of fresh outdoor air enters this
example system, use a setpoint of 11,167 cfm (5.27 m/s) for an airflow-
62
SYS-APM003-EN
monitoring station or a flow-measuring damper (such as the Trane Traq
damper) positioned upstream of the wheel:
EATR
OA setpoint = OA ventilation 1 + ----------------- OACF
100
For a concise comparison of the energyrecovery technologies discussed in this
chapter, see Table 14 on p. 64.
Table 13 shows the equations for calculating the airflow at each station.
Table 13. Fan sizing calculations

Fan Airflows at Energy-Recovery Device
Calculations for Fan Airflow 1

Supply-side airflow V2 :
Voa
EATR
V2 = Voa + V2 ----------------- = --------------------------------100
1 EATR
-----------------
100
Cross-leakage airflow V3 2 :
Voa
- Voa
V3 2 = V2 Voa = ------------------------------- 1 EATR
-----------------
100
Exhaust-side airflow V3 :
Voa
V3 = Vea + V3 2 = Vea + --------------------------------- Voa
1 EATR
-----------------
100
Supply-side airflow V1 :
Voa OACF
V1 = V2 OACF = -------------------------------- 1 EATR
-----------------
100
Cross-leakage airflow V1 4 :
Voa OACF
- Voa
V1 4 = V1 Voa = ------------------------------- 1 EATR
-----------------
100
Exhaust-side airflow V4 :
Voa OACF
V4 = Vea + V1 4 = Vea + ---------------------------------- Voa
EATR-
1 ---------------
100
Voa represents the required outdoor airflow for proper ventilation, and Vea represents the system-level exhaust airflow
required for proper building pressurization.
SYS-APM003-EN
63
Table 14. Comparative overview of air-to-air energy-recovery technologies

Energy-Recovery Technology
Coil Loop
Fixed-Plate
Heat Exchanger
Heat Pipe
Rotary Heat Exchanger
effectiveness
4565% sensible
6070% sensible
3055% sensible
6080% sensible,
6580% total
pressure drop
through each side of
the energy-recovery
device
0.31.0 in. wg
(75250 Pa)
0.61.4 in. wg
(150350 Pa)
0.20.8 in. wg
(50200 Pa)
0.51.0 in. wg sensible,

0.71.2 in. wg total
Characteristic
Typical performance 1
Method of capacity
modulation
(125250 Pa sensible,
175300 Pa total)
3-way mixing valve
dampers
(face-and-bypass)
(face-and-bypass)
(face-and-bypass)
(exhaust-side bypass)
tilt control
(partial modulation)
speed control
(pump motor)
Susceptibility to frost 2
Frost prevention
techniques 2
modest
(wheel motor)
highest
modest
high (sensible),
lowest (total)
3-way mixing valve
dampers
(face-and-bypass)
(diverting)
(face-and-bypass)
(supply-side bypass)
tilt control
preheat coil
speed control
(pump motor)
Likelihood of cross-leakage between
air streams 3
none
slight
slight
modest
Per ARI Standard 1060, performance of energy-recovery devices effectiveness and pressure dropis based on equal airflows through the exhaust and supply sides of the device.
Pertains only to applications in which the energy-recovery device is used to precondition outdoor air.
Assessment of cross-leakage potential pertains only to the energy-recovery device. Be sure to account for other potential paths of leakage such as the air-handler casing or shortcircuiting of building exhaust into the outdoor-air intake.
64
SYS-APM003-EN

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Contents

Applications for Air-to-Air Energy Recovery

Basic Concepts ........................................................................................................

Outdoor-Air (OA) Preconditioning ......................................................................... 9

Energy-Recovery Technologies .......................................................... 38

Coil Loop ................................................................................................................

Fixed-Plate Heat Exchanger ..................................................................................

Heat Pipe ................................................................................................................

Rotary Heat Exchanger .........................................................................................

System-Level Control of Recovered Energy ..............................

Suggestions for Effective Airside Energy Recovery

Additional information on these and

Table 6. Common air-to-air energy-recovery technologies

Fixed-plate heat exchangers

Fixed-membrane heat exchangers

Rotary heat exchangers

Rotary heat exchangers

A coil loopalso called a coil runaround loopconsists of two or more

To maximize effectiveness and, therefore, the amount of heat recovered,

Table 7. Considerations for recovering energy with coil loops

Transfers energy between air streams that

No cross-leakage between air streams

Flexible design/application: Coils can be

Easily turned off when energy recovery is not

Fits readily within the casing of a packaged

Transfers only sensible heat

May require an expansion tank to

Requires design and field installation of

Requires maintenance of the pump

Note: In outdoor-air preconditioning applications when the temperature outside

Coil Loop with Three Coils

Fixed-Plate Heat Exchanger

As its name implies, a fixed-plate heat exchanger consists of alternate layers of

loop to match the recovery capacity of a fixed-plate heat exchanger, it must be

Adding more plates to a fixed-plate heat exchanger increases the sensible

Of all airside energy-recovery devices, the fixed-plate heat exchanger is the

Figure 39. Frost-avoidance damper

Figure 39 shows an integral frost-avoidance damper that diverts air away

Table 8. Considerations for recovering energy with fixed-plate heat exchangers

Relatively high sensible effectiveness

Transfers only sensible energy (heat)

Little cross-leakage between air streams

Requires adjacent air streams

Relatively high frost threshold

High first cost in large applications

Adapted, by permission, from Innergytech Inc.

Figure 41. Cross section of heat-pipe tube

Adapted, by permission, from Innergytech Inc.

Figure 42 and Figure 43 depict

Figure 44. Tilt-control mechanism for regulating heat-pipe capacity

Table 9. Considerations for recovering energy with heat pipes

Little cross-leakage between air streams

Relatively low maintenance

Transfers only sensible energy (heat)

Can be packaged inside an air handler

Requires external face-and-bypass dampers

Despite the proximity required, a minimal amount of cross-leakage occurs

Rotary Heat Exchanger

Figure 45. Total-energy wheel and examples of heat-transfer media

Figure 46 and Figure 47 depict

Heat-transfer capacity for a wheel is determined by the size of the channels,

Compared to other airside energy-recovery technologies, rotary heat

Total-energy wheels transfer both sensible

Sensible-energy wheels transfer only