Air recuperator: what is it? Ventilation with heat recovery - detailed information Types of heat recovery units

Ecology of consumption. Estate: Heat loss is a serious problem that construction science is struggling with. Effective insulation, sealed windows and doors solve it only partially. Heat leakage through walls, windows, roofs and floors can be significantly reduced. Despite this, energy still has one more wide path to “escape.” This is ventilation, which is impossible to do without in any building.

Heat loss is a serious problem that construction science is struggling with. Effective insulation, sealed windows and doors only partially solve this problem. Heat leakage through walls, windows, roofs and floors can be significantly reduced. Despite this, energy still has one more wide path to “escape.” This is ventilation, which is impossible to do without in any building.

It turns out that in winter we spend precious fuel on heating rooms and at the same time continuously throw heat out into the street, letting in cold air.

The problem of energy saving can be solved using a heat recuperator. This device is warm room air heats up outdoor. This achieves considerable savings on heating costs (up to 25% of the total cost).

IN summer period, when it’s hot outside and the air conditioner is running in the house, the recuperator also brings benefits. It cools the hot incoming stream, reducing air conditioning costs.

Let's take a closer look at household heat recovery units to have an idea of ​​their structure, advantages and features of choice.

Types, principle of operation and design of recuperators

The idea of ​​using the heat from indoor air to heat outdoor air turned out to be very fruitful. It was the basis for the operation of all recuperators.

Today, three types of such devices are used:

  • lamellar;
  • rotary;
  • recirculating water.

The most common and simplest in design are plate recuperators. They are non-volatile, compact, reliable in operation and have a fairly high efficiency (40-65%).

The main working part of such a device is a cassette, inside of which parallel plates are installed. The air leaving and entering the room is cut by them into narrow streams, each of which goes through its own channel. Heat exchange occurs through the plates. Street air is heated, and indoor air cools and is released into the atmosphere.

Operating principle of a plate recuperator

The main disadvantage of plate installations is freezing in very coldy. Condensate settling in the recovery unit turns into ice and sharply reduces the performance of the device. Three ways have been found to combat this phenomenon.

The first is installing a bypass valve. Having received a signal from the sensor, it allows a cold flow to bypass the block. It only goes through the plates warm air, defrosting ice. After defrosting and draining the condensate, the valve restores normal operation of the system.

The second option is to use plates made of hygroscopic cellulose. Water settling on the walls of the cassette is absorbed into them and penetrates into the channels along which it moves. supply air. This solves two problems at once: eliminating condensation and humidification.

The third method is to preheat the cold stream to a temperature that prevents the water from freezing. To do this, a heating element is installed in the supply ventilation duct. The need for it arises when the outside air temperature is below -10C.

In recent years, plate reversible units have appeared on the market. Unlike direct-flow devices, they operate in two steps: the first is the release of warm air into the street, the second is the suction of cold air through a heated block.

Operating principle of reversible installation

Another type of installation is rotary recuperators. The efficiency of such devices is significantly higher than that of plate devices (74-87%).

The operating principle of the rotary unit is to rotate a cassette with cells in the flow of incoming and outgoing air. Moving in a circle, the channels alternately pass warm internal and cold external flows. In this case, the moisture does not freeze, but saturates the supply air.

It should be noted that the air handling unit with a recuperator rotary type allows you to smoothly regulate heat transfer. This is done by changing the rotation speed of the cassette. The main disadvantage of rotary systems is the high cost of maintenance. In terms of reliability, they are also inferior to plate ones.

The next type is recirculation water installation. It is the most complex in design. Heat transfer here is not carried out through the plates or rotor, but with the help of antifreeze or water.

The first liquid-air heat exchanger is installed on the exhaust duct, and the second on the suction duct. The work is carried out according to the principle of a heater: indoor air heats water, and it heats outdoor air.

The efficiency of such a system does not exceed that of plate recuperators (50-65%). The high price that one has to pay for the complexity of the design is justified by the only advantage: the blocks of such an installation can be placed not in one building, but in areas distant from each other supply and exhaust ventilation. For powerful industrial systems this has great importance. Such devices are not installed in small buildings.

Features of choosing a recuperator

Having become familiar with the operating features of recuperation units, it’s time to move on to the practical part – the selection criteria for performing specific tasks.

The first thing you need to pay attention to is the installation method. IN working position Domestic supply and exhaust ventilation with heat recovery can be installed in several ways:

  • Inside the wall. The housing is mounted in a pre-drilled hole. WITH outside a cap is installed, and on the inside there is a grille and a control unit.
  • Indoors. The installation is hung on the wall. A grille or cap is placed outside.
  • Outdoor placement. The advantages of this solution are obvious: minimal noise and space saving. The duct design of the device allows it to be placed on balconies and loggias, as well as simply on the facade of a building.

Another parameter that needs to be taken into account when purchasing is the number of fans. Budget air recuperators for the home are equipped with one ventilation unit that operates for both supply and exhaust.

More expensive devices have 2 fans. One of them pumps in and the other exhausts air. The performance of such devices is higher than that of single-fan devices.

When purchasing, you should also pay attention to the presence of an electric heater. With its help, freezing of the cassette is prevented and the lower temperature limit device operation.

Climate control function. Allows you to accurately set the temperature to which the recuperator will heat the air.

Possibility of humidity control. This parameter significantly affects the comfort of the microclimate. A standard recuperator dries the air, removing moisture from it.

Presence or absence of a filter. Additional option, which has a positive effect on the sanitary characteristics of the air mixture.

An important parameter that requires attention is the temperature of the pumped air. In different models, its value may differ significantly. Maximum wide range operating temperatures from -40 to +50С household devices is rare.

Therefore, in addition to taking into account the optimal performance in m3/hour, when purchasing, choose a device that can fully operate in your climatic conditions.

Performance calculation

Detailed calculations of the operation of recuperators in the supply and exhaust ventilation system are quite complex. Here we have to take into account many factors: the frequency of air exchange in the premises, the cross-section of the channels, the speed of air movement, the need to install mufflers, etc. Only experienced engineers can competently perform such a task.

The average consumer can use a simplified method to correctly navigate when purchasing a device.

The performance of the recuperator directly depends on the sanitary standard of air flow per person. Its average value is 30 m3/hour. Therefore, if 4 people permanently live in an apartment or private house, then the installation productivity should be at least 4x30 = 120 m3/hour.

Own electric power household recuperators is small (25-80 W). It is determined by the level of energy consumption duct fans. In installations with electric heating of the incoming flow, heating elements with a total power of 0.8 to 2.0 kW are installed.

Popular brands and approximate prices

When choosing a household recuperator, you should focus on manufacturers and models that have earned high customer ratings. As an example, we can cite the products of foreign companies Electrolux (Electrolux), Mitsubishi (Mitsubishi), Marley (Marley).

Recuperator for small rooms Mitsubishi Electric VL-100EU5-E. Air consumption 105 m3/h. Price from 21,000 rub.

Popular model from Electrolux. Estimated retail price from 42,000 rubles.

The 2017 price tags for household installations of these brands start at 22,000 rubles and end at 60,000 rubles.

MARLEY MENV-180. Air consumption 90 m3/hour. Cost from 27,500 rub.

The equipment of Russian and Ukrainian companies Vents (Vents), Vakio (Vakio), Prana and Zilant has proven itself well. Not inferior to foreign analogues in performance and reliability, they are often more affordable.

Installation of Vakio. Capacity 60 m3/h in recovery mode, up to 120 m3/h in supply ventilation. Price from 17,000 rub.

The estimated cost of air recovery systems from these companies (capacity from 120 to 250 m3/hour) ranges from 17,000 to 55,000 rubles.

Prava 200G. Inflow - 135 m3/h, exhaust - 125 m3/h. The recommended area for servicing the system is up to 60 m2.

The nature of reviews about air recuperators is mostly positive. Many owners note that with their help, the problem of excess humidity, which caused the appearance of mold and mildew in the premises, was solved.

In calculations of the payback period for this equipment, figures from 3 to 7 years are given. Instrumental measurement data regarding real savings We did not find any energy resources on forums dedicated to this topic.

Briefly about self-assembly

Most photo and video instructions for making recuperators yourself discuss plate models. This is the simplest and affordable option for the home handyman.

The main part of the structure is the heat exchanger. It is made from galvanized steel, cut into plates measuring 30x30 cm. To create channels at the edges and in the middle of each section, plastic strips 4 mm thick and 2-3 cm wide are glued with silicone.

The heat exchanger is assembled by placing and alternately rotating the plates at an angle of 90 degrees relative to each other. This creates isolated channels for the oncoming movement of cold and warm air.

After this, a housing made of metal, chipboard or plastic is made to fit the dimensions of the heat exchanger. There are four holes in it for air supply. Two of them have fans. The heat exchanger is rotated at an angle of 45 degrees and secured in the housing.

The work is completed by thoroughly sealing all installation joints with silicone.

The issue of the quality of inhaled air has been and remains the most important for human life. Various parameters play a role. Temperature, cleanliness and freshness take first place among them. Light ventilation using a window is often not enough. Too cold incoming air brings some discomfort. The appearance of a stuffy summer lazy breeze will also not bring pleasure.

What is it and what is the principle of operation

Ventilation-type heat exchange structures (recuperators) help change the situation. The name of the device comes from English and Latin words, denoting "return».

The principle of operation fully corresponds to the etymological meaning. Air in the room sucked in by the ventilation system and is forcibly thrown out into the street. At the same time, an external stream of freshness is sent into the room. Inside heat exchange occurs, thanks to which air masses return to the room at the required temperature.

An important indicator of ventilation systems is the percentage of mixing of incoming and exhaust air. The operation of recuperators makes it possible to reduce this position to almost zero. This is achieved by the presence of a plastic, copper, aluminum or zinc separator. Heat exchange occurs due to the transfer of flow energy to the boundary. The jets themselves pass either parallel or crosswise.

Specially designed gratings at the inlet of the flow from the street allow you to retain dust, pollen, insects, and reduce the number of incoming bacteria. The air is purified and enters the room. At the same time, waste particles containing many harmful components. Beyond circulation air flow the supply jets are cleaned and warmed.

Most existing recuperators have gentle sound modes, which promote strong healthy sleep when installed in a nursery or bedroom.

Many designs recent years compact and easy to install, have a remote control remote control, have additional capabilities.

Temperature standards in an apartment are studied in detail in this article:

Types of recuperators

Depending on various parameters, consider:

  • Plate recuperators
  • Rotary recuperators
  • Chamber recuperators
  • Recuperators with an additional built-in heat exchanger
  • Composition of multiple heat pipes

Plate recuperators. The heat exchanger inside consists of one or more fixed plates made of copper, aluminum, plastic or especially strong, specially treated cellulose. The air passes through a series of cassettes. Due to the temperature difference between the incoming and outgoing flows, slight condensation may occur. Possible in cold weather some frost formation. As a rule, to combat it, the device is equipped additional elements, the functions of which are to remove condensate accumulation and increase the heat supply to defrost the system.

If recuperators are equipped with one air movement cassette, then when droplets form, the flow is redirected to bypass it, and the accumulated moisture is removed through a special drainage device. If the system involves several elements, then condensation formation is reduced to zero.

When ice appears special valve blocks the movement of incoming air, due to the heat on the plates, the internal components of the device are heated. Another way to solve the problem was creation of cellulose cassettes. However, their use in rooms with a high degree of humidity increases the creation of condensation and makes the devices unusable.

Plate recuperators are designed in such a way that mixing of incoming and outgoing streams is not possible, and the filtration system additionally removes dust, pollen and bacteria. This makes it possible to use it in bedrooms, children's rooms, and hospitals. Creating ribbed plates allows increase design efficiency, makes it more reliable and durable. Due to their compactness and low cost, such designs are more applicable both in hospitals, catering establishments, and at home.

Many craftsmen have learned to create designs on their own from some set of copper or galvanized plates using special sealant and material for additional gasket between the sheets.

Рhttp://site/eko/rekuperator-vozduha-svoimi-rukami.htmlmotor recuperators. Its features are the rotating blades of one or two rotors, due to which air moves. Most often, such devices have cylindrical shape with tightly installed plates inside and a drum, the rotation of which creates flows. First, an air stream leaving the room is passed through, then the direction of rotation changes and street air enters.

The efficiency of rotary recuperators is higher than plate ones, but the devices themselves are more bulky. Their use is more suitable for industrial premises, trading floors. Since the probability of mixing air flows usually reaches 5-7 percent, the installation of rotary heat exchangers becomes impossible for hospitals, canteens, cafes and restaurants. More expensive equipment, bulkiness and complexity of installation made the use of such structures possible only in special industrial zones.

Chamber recuperators. Air from the room enters special camera, in which heat is transferred to the walls of its part, then thrown out into the street. Next, the outside air is sucked inside into another compartment, additionally warming up from the boundaries, and enters the room.

Recuperators with an additional built-in heat exchanger. It enhances the heat transfer edge. However, it is less efficient because it reduces efficiency and increases condensation.

Composition of several heat pipes. The air from the room is additionally heated, turning into steam, and then reverse condensation occurs. The advantages of such recuperators are complete antibacterial protection of the air in the structure.

When choosing a device, take into account the size of the room and the degree of its humidity, its purpose, the need for quiet operation, efficiency and the cost of the structure and its installation.

You can read more about comfortable humidity in an apartment in this article:

Application of recuperators (video)

  1. In rooms to create additional climatic comfort.
  2. To save money energy resources.
  3. In hospitals to increase the antibacterial zone, to create a comfortable environment, to maintain the thermal characteristics of the room.
  4. In industrial premises, to ventilate large spaces while maintaining a constant temperature zone, rotary heat exchangers are more often used, which can withstand temperatures up to 650 degrees.
  5. In automotive structures.

When operating ventilation units in residential buildings or production premises, in order to save money, it is necessary to provide for the installation of energy-saving equipment, called supply and exhaust ventilation systems using thermal energy recovery processes, even at the design stages.

The device itself, called a “recuperator,” is a certain type of heat exchanger consisting of double walls that allow both cold supply air and warm exhaust air to pass through. The main characteristics of recuperators include its coefficient useful action, which in most cases depends on some important parameters:

  • metal composition of the heat exchanger structure;
  • total area of ​​contact with air flows;
  • ratio of the volume of air masses passed through (supply to exhaust).

In general, the differences between ventilation heat exchangers are also determined by many other factors that are included in specific types of recuperators.

Type classification of recuperators

Air recuperators are quite often equipped not only with a heat exchanger, but also with two fans for separate removal of clean and exhaust air. In addition, these devices may include various technical devices in order to improve the quality of the supplied air. Based on this, heat exchangers are classified according to the coolant used, design or flow pattern of coolants into the following types:

      Plate recuperator (also called cross-point) is the most popular type of heat exchanger due to its compact design simplicity, relatively low cost and reliability. This type of equipment consists of a set of cassettes separated by supply and exhaust air flow channels made of galvanized metal. The efficiency of these devices can reach an average of 70%. and don't need to be used electrical energy. The main advantages of such ventilation units include:

      • increased efficiency (productivity level);
      • lack of electrical energy consumers;
      • convenient and simple installation;
      • quiet operation.

      Their main disadvantage is the possible freezing of the heat exchanger as a result of the formation of excess condensate on the plates. To eliminate this drawback as much as possible, a household recuperator is equipped with outlets for collecting condensate liquid (condensate collectors). The only exception is cellulose heat exchangers.

      A plate recuperator, the operating principle of which is quite convenient and simple, and is based on the intersection without mixing in a heat exchanger of two flows of air masses (supply and exhaust) has sufficient efficiency due to the efficiency indicator, measured as a percentage, and can correspond to the following values:

      • 45-78% - when using plastic or metal heat exchangers;
      • 60-92% - when using plate recuperators with a cellulose hygroscopic heat exchanger.

      The duct plate recuperator can be used in premises where high requirements and standards are imposed on the cleanliness of the incoming air. To install a ventilation system, you can either purchase a ready-made device or make one.

      Based on plate air handling units, there is also a membrane recuperator that allows for simultaneous moisture and heat exchange in order to eliminate the need to create additional drainage system to remove excess condensate. Membrane plates have selective permeability, which allows water molecules to pass through and gas molecules to be retained.

      1. A rotary recuperator, the operating principle of which is based on the rotation of a rotary heat exchanger at a certain and constant speed, is a cylindrical structure, inside of which layers of corrugated metal are densely located. The built-in drum, performing rotational movements, initially passes heated air, after which the cold air is supplied. As a result, the corrugated layers are progressively cooled or heated and part of the heat is transferred to the cold air flow. Similar ventilation units have a number of advantages, among which are:
        • partial return of moisture (no need for);
        • the ability to regulate the speed of rotation of the rotors;
        • compact design and installation.

        Along with their advantages, rotary heat exchangers have significant disadvantages - they require the use of electricity, the installation of additional filtering components and have moving elements.

        The efficiency of a rotary recuperator can be 60-85%, so they are used in systems characterized by high air flow rates.

      2. A glycol recuperator is one of the representatives of installations with intermediate coolants, which allows you to connect two separate ventilation systems. This equipment is ideal for upgrading existing ventilation systems that operate separately from each other. A glycol recuperator, the operating principle of which is based on the installation of a heating heat exchanger with antifreeze supplied to it (circulation of a water-glycol solution), is often calculated individually. The basic characteristics of such installations include:
        • the ability to adjust the system using built-in automation and coolant circulation speed;
        • operation of the unit at sub-zero temperatures without the need for defrosting;
        • connecting several inflows and one exhaust or vice versa;
        • no moving parts;
        • the gap between exhaust and inflow can reach up to 800m.

        The main disadvantage is low efficiency - 45-60%.

      3. Water recuperator is a type of air recuperator used in supply and exhaust systems. The mechanism of action of such a device is due to the transfer of heat through water. In this case, heat exchangers can be located at a remote distance using thermally insulated pipelines. This circumstance is the main purpose of the application - connecting ventilation lines. Water recuperators are used quite rarely due to low efficiency values ​​and the need for frequent maintenance.

      Main criteria for choosing recuperators

      When selecting a suitable and optimally efficient recuperator, you must adhere to the following criteria:

      • level of recovery (energy saving) - depending on the manufacturer and model, this parameter should be in the range of 40-85%;
      • sanitary and hygienic indicators - the ability to control the degree of purification and quality of incoming air;
      • energy efficiency – the value of energy consumption;
      • operational characteristics - overall service life, suitability of equipment for performance repair work, the need for minimal maintenance;
      • adequate cost.

      Taking into account all these indicators, choosing the highest quality and most efficient types of recuperators in terms of performance will not be very difficult for those who want to both create and improve the existing ventilation system.

Recovery(from Latin recuperatio - “return receipt”) - the return of part of the materials or energy for reuse in the same technological process.

Recovery during processing of raw materials is called desorption. Desorption, like other mass transfer processes, is usually reversible, and the primary process is called adsorption. These processes are widely used in the chemical industry for purification and drying of gases, purification and clarification of solutions, separation of mixtures of gases or vapors, in particular when extracting volatile solvents from a mixture of gases (recovery of volatile solvents). Recovery of liquid solvents is used in the production of hydrocarbons, alcohols, ethers and esters, etc. Adsorption and desorption processes are carried out in specialized adsorption units.

Recovery– the process of partial energy recovery for reuse. In this topic we are talking about air recovery in ventilation systems.

The principle of operation of the recuperator

We have supply and exhaust ventilation. In winter, the supply air is cleaned by air filters and heated by air heaters. It enters the room, warms it and dilutes harmful gases, dust and other emissions. Then he gets into exhaust ventilation and is thrown out into the street... Hence the thought... Why don’t we heat the cold supply air with the exhaust air. After all, we are essentially throwing money away. So, we have exhaust air with a temperature of 21 C and supply air, which has a temperature of -10 C before the heater. We install, for example, a recuperator with plate heat exchanger. To understand the principle of operation of a recuperator with a plate heat exchanger, imagine a square in which the exhaust air passes from bottom to top, and the supply air from left to right. Moreover, these flows do not mix with each other due to the use of special heat-conducting plates that separate these two flows.

As a result, the exhaust air gives up to 70% of the heat to the supply air and at the exit from the recuperator has a temperature of 2-6 C, and the supply air, in turn, has a temperature at the exit from the recuperator of 12-16 C. Consequently, the heater will not heat the air -10 C , and +12 C and this will allow us to significantly save on electrical or thermal energy spent on heating the supply air.

Types of recuperators

Although a recuperator with a plate heat exchanger is most common in the Russian Federation, there are other types of recuperators, which in some cases are more efficient or, in general, only they can cope with the tasks. We invite you to consider the four most popular types of recuperators:

    Recuperator with plate heat exchanger (Plate recuperator)

    Recuperator with rotary heat exchanger (Rotary recuperator)

    Water recirculation heat exchanger

    Roof recuperator

Plate recuperator

The most common type is a plate or cross-flow air recuperator for apartments.

It is a small cassette. Two channels are created in it, which are separated from each other by sheets of steel. They carry separate supply and exhaust air flows. Steel acts as a heat “filter”. That is, a temperature exchange occurs, but air mixing is not allowed. The prevalence of this type of device is due to its simplicity, compactness and low cost. The plate air recuperator for apartments has some disadvantages, but they are not so significant when installed in small residential premises.

Advantages: - the device is easily built into any part of the air duct; - there are no moving parts (easier maintenance, no risk of air flow displacement, etc.); - relatively high efficiency – 50...90%; - can work with high-temperature gas and air mixtures (up to +200°C); - aerodynamic resistance to passing air flows increases slightly; - simple performance adjustment via a bypass valve.

Plate recuperators are designed in such a way that the air flows in them do not mix, but contact each other through the walls of the heat exchange cassette. This cassette consists of many plates that separate cold air flows from warm ones. Most often, the plates are made of aluminum foil, which has excellent thermal conductivity properties. The plates can also be made of special plastic. These are more expensive than aluminum ones, but increase the efficiency of the equipment.

Plate heat exchangers have a significant drawback: as a result of the temperature difference, condensation forms on cold surfaces, which turns into ice. An ice-covered recuperator stops working effectively. To defrost it, the incoming flow is automatically bypassed by the heat exchanger and heated by a heater. Meanwhile, the escaping warm air melts the ice on the plates. In this mode, of course, there is no energy saving, and the defrosting period can take from 5 to 25 minutes per hour. To heat the incoming air during the defrosting phase, air heaters with a power of 1-5 kW are used.

Some plate heat exchangers use preheating of the incoming air to a temperature that prevents the formation of ice. This reduces the efficiency of the recuperator by approximately 20%.

Another solution to the icing problem is hygroscopic cellulose cassettes. This material absorbs moisture from the exhaust air flow and transfers it to the incoming air, thereby returning moisture back. Such recuperators are justified only in buildings where there is no problem of air humidification. The undoubted advantage of hygrocellulose recuperators is that they do not require electrical heating of the air, which means they are more economical. Recuperators with double plate heat exchangers have an efficiency of up to 90%. Ice does not form in them due to heat transfer through the intermediate zone.

Well-known manufacturers of plate heat exchangers: SCHRAG (Germany), MITSUBISHI (Japan), ELECTROLUX, SYSTEMAIR (Sweden), SHUFT (Denmark), REMAK, 2W (Czech Republic), MIDEA (China).