Thermal performance of a fixed-plate air-to-air energy recovery system for building application in hot and humid environment

An analysis of the performance of a fixed-plate air-to-air energy recovery system on its efficiency and recovered energy for potential building applications in the hot and humid environment was performed. Investigations were executed under controlled laboratory conditions in an energy testing chamber. Tests were carried out with varying operating parameters in terms of airflow rates that ranged from 1.0 to 3.0 m/s, intake air temperature of 28 degrees C, 31 degrees C, 35 degrees C, 40 degrees C and intake relative humidity of 70%, 75% and 80%. The performance was analysed by adopting the calculation methods of the ASHRAE Standard. This study showed that increased airflow rate decreased efficiency. The increase of airflow rate raised the recovered energy of the system. The study indicated that increasing values of intake air temperature (T-in) resulted in the increase of efficiency and recovered energy. A decrease in the efficiency of the system was observed, notably when the intake relative humidity (RHin) increased.

Automated summary

The study found that increasing airflow rate decreased system efficiency but increased recovered energy. Higher intake air temperatures resulted in improved efficiency and recovered energy, while increased intake relative humidity led to decreased system efficiency.