Heat recovery

The process of air recovery is a useful invention that helps to improve the microclimate of the room. This allows you to effectively ventilate the rooms, removing polluted "waste" air and getting fresh air from the street right in your home. However, weather conditions and temperature differences can affect the loss of heat or vice versa, the loss of coolness of rooms.

In order to avoid this, effectively ventilate the living quarters and keep the necessary heat, recuperators were created. "Recuperator" in translation means "returning back".

This equipment is installed in the ventilation system and produces a continuous exchange between heat carriers. In the cold season, this heat exchanger will not allow the heat from the removed air to leave the room. In the heat - does not allow the heat from the outside to get into the house.

Mechanism of operation

A recuperator is a surface double-walled heat exchanger in which two air streams collide during operation. Due to the temperature difference, cold air heats up, and hot air cools down, leaving condensation. Thanks to such equipment, you save electricity, not allowing heat leakage from the room to occur, but at the same time you get clean street air on a regular basis.

Types of recuperators

As with any other equipment, several types of recuperators can be distinguished depending on their design, material of manufacture, scope of application and the scheme of movement of heat carriers.

According to the design , there are:

  • lamellar;
  • tubular;
  • rotary;
  • ribbed.

According to the material of manufacture:

  • made of plastic;
  • made of metal;
  • based on membranes.

Depending on the differences in the scheme of movement of heat carriers:

  • direct - flow;
  • countercurrent;
  • cross - references;
  • forward-countercurrent.

By purpose:

  • heaters (air, liquid, gases);
  • vaporizers;
  • capacitors.

In everyday life, plate-shaped recuperators and rotary devices are used to work in the ventilation system.

Plate heat exchanger

The design of this device resembles a cassette, the compartments of which are separated by thin metal plates. Due to the separations, the air flows do not mix with each other, but through the metal they have the opportunity to exchange heat energy.

Advantages:

  • Cost is the most inexpensive type of recuperators.
  • Size - the equipment is very compact and has a simple design.
  • The mechanism of operation – no part needs electricity to work.

Disadvantages:

  • Condensation accumulation - especially in winter weather, this contributes to the freezing of the outer part from the hood. However, this problem is not difficult to eliminate.

The efficiency of the plate heat exchanger is 55-60%.

Rotary Recuperator

The design of this heat exchanger is a cylinder with layers of corrugated metal (copper or galvanized steel) placed inside. When the cylinder rotates, air flows through it – first heated air from the room, followed by cold air from the street. The corrugated plates retain heat and transfer it to the incoming air.

The recuperator consumes up to 10 watts of electricity per hour.

Advantages:

  • Low power consumption.
  • Good efficiency.

Disadvantages:

  • The large size of the structure fits only in a large ventilation chamber.
  • A small percentage of mixing air flows, exhaust gas enters the incoming stream.
  • High price due to the complexity of the mechanism.
  • Constant technical inspections are required in comparison with other models.
  • It should not be installed in rooms with high humidity.

The efficiency of the rotary heat exchanger is 70-85%.

Tubular recuperator

The basis of the design of such a heat exchanger is a bundle of tubes through which the air passes. Due to the thin walls of the tubes, heat is easily transferred between the streams. Such a heat exchanger provides intensive heat exchange and is often used in houses where sealed plastic windows are installed, in eco-houses.

It has a direct-flow-counter-flow device, installed in a single ventilation duct.

Among the advantages:

  • Long-term operation (up to 10 years) with relatively simple and rare maintenance.
  • Low power consumption (up to 8 watts per hour).
  • Compact design.
  • Exclusion of stagnant processes inside the ventilation system.

Why it is worth installing a heat exchanger

Modern technologies of construction and repair of houses are aimed at making hermetic and durable structures that do not always allow good air circulation. One of the most important conditions for maintaining a good microclimate in the house is a ventilation system. And the more thoughtful it is, the better. To maintain your health, as well as to save heat in the house, it is best to install heat recuperators of a suitable design for you. They will contribute to a full-fledged air exchange and at the same time maintain the desired room temperature.