Sorbent based enthalpy recovery ventilator

Abstract

A novel concept – disc type sorbent based enthalpy recovery ventilator (SERV) – is presented for the first time. The proposed SERV is a compact system that includes two separate sections for vapor and heat recovery, has low pressure drop, and eliminates frozen exhaust issue that affects the performance of conventional heat and enthalpy recovery ventilators in cold climates. A new theoretical model is developed for the heat and mass transfer in the air channels of the sorbent discs. A sensitivity analysis is performed to design the main parameters, e.g. channel diameter and spacing, to achieve optimum performance. A prototype SERV is built and tested in a custom-made experimental set-up designed based on ASHRAE 84 standards. The performance of SERV is evaluated for several air flow rates (3–18 CFM), cycle times, and outdoor air temperatures down to -15 °C. The SERV prototype – consisting of 2.1 kg of active sorbent material and 2 kg of heat storage materials –recovered up to 70% of heat and 80% of moisture from exhaust air with 60% less pressure drop relative to measured comparable systems in the literature.