How to Select a Heat Exchanger
Selecting an air-to-air heat exchanger is a balance of airflow, temperatures, humidity, pressure drop, materials and layout. This guide walks the decision so you pick the right type the first time.
Step 1 – Define the Duty
- Airflow (m³/h) of each stream.
- Temperatures in/out for hot and cold streams.
- Humidity – decides sensible-only vs total recovery.
- Contaminants – dust, moisture, oil, odour (drives type choice).
- Layout – face velocity, space, stream separation.
Step 2 – Pick the Type
| If you need… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Clean separable streams, no mix | Plate |
| Passive, harsh, inclined | Heat pipe |
| High-volume total recovery, mixing OK | Rotary wheel |
| Streams far apart / contaminated | Run-around coil |
Hard rules: keep rotary out of pharma/lab/mine no-mix duty (where rotary is banned); pharma exhaust must not recirculate (no-recirculation); food drying uses sensible plate only.
Step 3 – Pressure Drop & Sizing
More surface raises effectiveness but also fan power. Use the plate pressure-drop method and the calculator. Watch frost in cold make-up air and fouling in dirty duty.
Step 4 – Verify
Confirm with a side-by-side in the cheat sheet. Final selection should be confirmed by an engineer.
FAQ
Plate, heat pipe or rotary?
Clean & separable → plate; passive/harsh → heat pipe; max total recovery with mixing allowed → rotary; separated/contaminated → run-around.
Get an Engineered Selection
Send EN159 your duty and we return a sized recommendation. Call 15753355505 or request a quote.