Heat and mass transfer at rotary heat exchangers in consideration of the condensation potential

Abstract

In many industrial processes as well as in air conditioning systems heat and moisture is transferred by rotary heat exchangers from the warm exhaust air flow to the cold supply air flow. Rotary heat exchangers are classified as sorption rotors, hygroscopic rotors and condensation rotors. Basic mechanisms of heat and moisture transfer are presented. By means of the condensation potential as the difference between the moisture content of the warm air flow and the moisture content of the cold air flow at saturation the humidity transfer at the different rotor types is investigated. The condensation potential as a reference parameter provides the possibility to describe the influence of various air conditions in exhaust air and supply air flow on the humidity transfer of different rotary heat exchangers and to compare these rotors with each other. In order to give an overview of relevant design parameters, the influence of the speed of turning, the flute height of the rotor matrix and the velocity of the air flow regarding the heat and mass transfer is considered.