A recycled-PET plant dries bottle flakes with 50,000 m3/h of 80 C exhaust. EN159 recovered heat to preheat the dehumidified drying air.
The Challenge
Crystallization and drying needed 130 C process air. Preheating the supply air cut heater load. Dust in the exhaust required a robust core.
Why Plate Air-to-Air Recovery
For this industrial dryer, a plate exchanger gives high effectiveness with a simple static core. Rotary wheels are not used where dust load is high. A pre-filter protects the plate.
The EN159 Solution
EN159 BXB plate module with prefilter, 50,000 m3/h, supply 25 C raised to 55 C, stainless plates for abrasion resistance.
Measured Results
- Recovered heat: about 0.9 MW
- Supply air preheated from 25 C to 55 C
- Heater energy cut by 33 percent
- Estimated payback: 15 months
Compliance and Selection Notes
Static plate recovery with prefiltration. No rotary wheel due to dust load.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will dust clog the plate?
A prefilter upstream protects the core; plates are also blow-down cleanable.
Why not heat pipe here?
At this flow and temperature, plate recovery gives the best effectiveness per cost.
Related Guides and Tools
Plate Heat Exchangers · Industrial Dryer Heat Recovery · Drying Heat Recovery · Industrial Dryer Waste Heat · Contact EN159
Get a Site-Specific Recovery Estimate
Talk to an EN159 application engineer about your PET flake drying exhaust stream. Call 15753355505 or visit our contact page for a site-specific recovery estimate.