Comparative experimental study of heat transfer processes in accumulation energy recovery exchangers

Journal Article · Wed Jun 18 00:00:00 UTC 2025 · International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icheatmasstransfer.2025.109230 · OSTI ID:3000116

Pandelidis, Demis  ^[1]; Matuszczak, Mikołaj ^[1]; Duraziński, Tomasz ^[1]; Dąbrowski, Krzysztof ^[1]; Mirosław, Michał ^[2]; Tuchowski, Wojciech ^[3]; Worek, William ^[4]

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1. Wroclaw Univ. of Science and Technology (Poland)
2. Independent Researcher, Czarna Łąka (Poland)
3. West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin (Poland)
4. Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)

In this study, an experimental comparison between three different energy accumulating ceramic heat exchangers for energy recovery in ventilation systems was presented. The units were selected to represent three different approaches on the energy recovery process: honeycomb structure with more accumulation mass (more energy can be stored in one unit)- Unit 1.1, honeycomb structure with lower accumulation mass- Unit 1.2, and a rectangular structure with expanded heat transfer surface- Unit 1.3. The achieved results are useful for the future application of such units in ventilation systems. It was established that all evaluated units demonstrated an acceptable effectiveness of thermal energy recovery from the exhaust air. Their average energy recovery efficiency ranged between 70 % and 80 %, aligning with expected performance benchmarks for regenerative heat exchangers employed in contemporary mechanical ventilation systems. It was also established that the factor which has the highest impact on thermal effectiveness is the heat transfer surface available in the tested heat exchangers. Units with the highest number of channels (i.e., with the highest amount of single channel walls, which can be used for heat transfer) achieve the highest thermal effectiveness. However, higher thermal effectiveness can negatively affect the ventilation potential of the units. Unit 1.3, which was characterized by the highest thermal efficiency, was also characterized by the lowest achievable flow rate. It was also found that the important technical aspect that should be taken into account when analyzing accumulation energy recovery units is also the fluctuation of the supply air temperature. The ability to ensure minimal temperature fluctuations is a significant operational advantage, as it ensures a higher level of safety at lower outside temperatures.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: European Union; USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Energy Efficiency Office. Building Technologies Office
• Grant/Contract Number: AC02-06CH11357
• OSTI ID: 3000116
• Journal Information: International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer, Journal Name: International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer Vol. 167; ISSN 0735-1933
• Publisher: ElsevierCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English