how does air to air heat exchanger work

An air-to-air heat exchanger transfers heat between two separate air streams without mixing them. It typically consists of a series of thin plates or tubes made of a thermally conductive material, like aluminum, arranged to maximize surface area. One airstream (e.g., warm exhaust air from a building) flows on one side, and another (e.g., cold incoming fresh air) flows on the opposite side.

Heat from the warmer airstream passes through the conductive material to the cooler airstream, warming it up. This process recovers energy that would otherwise be lost, improving efficiency in heating or cooling systems. Some designs, like cross-flow or counter-flow exchangers, optimize heat transfer by directing air in specific patterns. Effectiveness depends on factors like airflow rates, temperature difference, and exchanger design, typically recovering 50-80% of the heat.

Moisture transfer can occur in some models (e.g., enthalpy exchangers), which use special membranes to move water vapor alongside heat, useful for humidity control. The system requires fans to move air, and maintenance involves cleaning to prevent blockages or contamination.

Wärmerückgewinnung aus der industriellen Reinigung

how does air to air heat exchanger work