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INTRODUCTION

Des Champs rotary heat exchangers are designed


to provide either sensible or total energy exchange
between two airstreams. Rotary heat exchangers
are designed for counterflow application and
operate on the principle of sensible heat transfer
and latent energy transfer using desiccant material.
Des Champs rotors are constructed of corrugated
media with passages through which the air flows,
either gaining energy from or losing energy to the
mass of the matrix. The rotary matrix revolves in
a plane perpendicular to the airflow continuously
transferring the rotor mass from the high tempera-
ture stream to the low temperature stream. In total
heat transfer applications a desiccant adsorbs
moisture from the stream with the higher vapor
pressure and desorbs moisture to the stream with
the lower vapor pressure.

TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S
Introduction ......................................................................................................................1
Model Nomenclature........................................................................................................2
Application Features ........................................................................................................3
Construction Features ......................................................................................................4
Application Considerations ............................................................................................5
Installation Considerations..............................................................................................7
Psychrometric Data ..........................................................................................................8
MODEL NOMENCLATURE
R OTA R Y H E AT E X C H A N G E R
MODEL NUMBER: R A X - A - 2 5 0 - B - 3 - 1
D I G I T: 1, 2, 3 - 4 - 5, 6, 7 - 8 - 9 - 10

Digits 1, 2 and 3: Unit Designator


RSX = Synthetic Media Heat Exchanger
RAX = Aluminum Media Heat Exchanger
Digit 4: Design sequence
A = Standard
Digits 5,6 and 7: Nominal size
RSX Units RAX Units
005 = 500 scfm 010 = 1,000 scfm 140 = 14,000 scfm
013 = 1,250 scfm 018 = 1,800 scfm 170 = 17,000 scfm
017 = 1,750 scfm 024 = 2,400 scfm 210 = 21,000 scfm
021 = 2,100 scfm 032 = 3,200 scfm 250 = 25,000 scfm
027 = 2,750 scfm 040 = 4,000 scfm 320 = 32,000 scfm
035 = 3,500 scfm 050 = 5,000 scfm 380 = 38,000 scfm
045 = 4,500 scfm 068 = 6,800 scfm 450 = 45,000 scfm
055 = 5,500 scfm 086 = 8,600 scfm 540 = 54,000 scfm
070 = 7,000 scfm 120 = 12,000 scfm 620 = 62,000 scfm
083 = 8,300 scfm 130 = 13,000 scfm 780 = 78,000 scfm
099 = 9,900 scfm
116 = 11,500 scfm
135 = 13,500 scfm
Digit 8: Type of rotor
2 Type RSX:
S = Molecular sieve impregnated synthetic matrix, total heat transfer
Type RAX:
A = Aluminum matrix, sensible heat transfer
B = Silica gel coated aluminum matrix, total heat transfer
Digit 9: Type of control
0 = Constant speed (no control)
1 = Variable speed drive with 4 - 20 mA or 2 - 10 vDC input
(controller by others)
2 = Variable speed with frost protection control
3 = Variable speed with supply air temperature control and
summer/winter changeover
4 = Variable speed with supply air temperature control, summer/winter
changeover and frost protection control
Digit 10: Voltage
1 = 208-230/60/1 4 = 460/60/3
2 = 220/50/1 5 = 575/60/3
3 = 208-230/60/3 6 = 380-415/50/3
APPLICATION FEATURES

A L L O W S O U T D O O R A I R D E S I G N P R O B L E M S TO B E S O LV E D
• Responsibly Allows Codes to be Met
Use of Des Champs rotary heat exchangers
allows the designer to meet ASHRAE Standard
62-1989 ventilation requirements with minimum
energy requirements

• Reduces Heating Requirements


The size of the heating plant, air distribution
system, and energy distribution system can all
be reduced by the amount of energy recovered

• Reduces Cooling Requirements


Compressors, chillers, cooling towers, pumps,
and piping can all be reduced by the amount of
energy transferred between the outside and exhaust
airstreams

• Solves Existing Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Problems


Economically permits the introduction of
additional ventilation air without overtaxing 3
HVAC system

• Reduces Humidification Requirements


Total heat transfer rotary heat exchangers recover
humidity and return it to the space, reducing the
requirements for winter humidification

• Two Types of Rotor Media


Compact molecular sieve impregnated synthetic
media and low pressure-drop silica gel coated
aluminum media
CONSTRUCTION FEATURES

D E S I G N E D F O R E A S Y I N S TA L L AT I O N
• Rugged Galvanized Steel Casing
Galvanized steel structure and casing securely
protects rotor, permits easy handling and
installation in any orientation

• Single Point Electrical Connection


All components and controls are factory wired

SIMPLE MAINTENANCE
• Easily Serviced Heat Exchangers
Rugged matrix permits water-wash without
deterioration, outboard bearings permit easy
service and inspection

• Ready Access
Drive motor and controls are conveniently
located behind removable access door in corner
compartment
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YEARS OF TROUBLE-FREE PERFORMANCE
• Durable Heat Exchanger Matrix
Normal water-wash and cleaning do not
deteriorate matrix structure nor efficiency

• Heavy Duty Bearings


Lifetime lubricated bearings are generously sized
and located outboard for long life and easy
maintenance
APPLICATION CONSIDERATIONS
FREEZING AND DEFROSTING
Outside air temperature below 32°F does not necessarily cause a frosting problem.
Water vapor will condense out of the exhaust air and be deposited on the heat
exchanger matrix as frost when the matrix is below freezing. This moisture in the
form of frost will be successfully transferred as long as it is evaporated through
sublimation on the supply air side. Frost becomes a problem when it builds up
faster than it can be evaporated which will ultimately cause airflow blockage of
the heat exchanger.
The frosting process, which causes an increase in pressure drop across the heat
exchanger, normally takes many hours. The frosting problem is therefore often
relieved by the outdoor temperature varying over a 24-hour period or because the
heat exchanger is in operation during only part of the 24-hour period.

FROSTING LIMIT
Frost protection becomes necessary at outdoor temperatures between 0°F to 15°F
and with indoor relative humidities between 20% and 50%, and with exhaust air
temperature typical of comfort ventilation systems.

FROSTING TIME
Frosting will not be instantaneous but will require a period of time at the combina-
tion of low temperature and high humidity. Experience shows that a minor intersec-
tion of the saturation curve is permissible without significant frost occurring, even
if the design outdoor temperature falls below 15°F.

F R O S T P R OT E C T I O N
There are several methods of frost protection that should be considered at design
conditions where the psychrometric chart shows the exhaust air intersecting the
saturation line as it is cooled:
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1. Preheating the outdoor air to a temperature that prevents the exhaust air tem-
perature from intersecting the saturation line will eliminate frosting. This is
accomplished by a duct heater with thermostat in the outdoor air at the rotor
inlet.
2. Preheating the return air to a temperature that prevents the exhaust air tempera-
ture from intersecting the saturation line will eliminate frosting. This is accom-
plished by a duct heater with thermostat in the exhaust air at the rotor outlet.
This can be very economical because 100% efficient direct gas fired heating may
be used.
3. The speed of the rotor may be varied from full speed to zero which reduces heat
and moisture transfer from 100% capacity to zero capacity. Exhaust air temper-
ature approaches the return air temperature as the rotor speed is reduced. This
is accomplished by a variable speed drive with thermostat in the exhaust air.
4. Outdoor air may be bypassed in sufficient amount so that the heat transfer is
reduced to the point where the exhaust air temperature will not intersect the
saturation line. This is accomplished by properly sized bypass dampers modulat-
ed by a thermostat in the exhaust air.
AIR CROSSOVER LEAKAGE
Leakage between the supply and exhaust air sides cannot be entirely eliminated in
a rotary heat exchanger. Leakage from one airstream to the other causes two con-
cerns, contamination and reduction of effectiveness. There are two ways to mitigate
this, however:
1. The proper location of the fans and dampers will control leakage so that con-
tamination of the supply air is reduced. It is desired that the supply side be at
a slightly higher static pressure than the exhaust side so that leakage is always
from the supply to the exhaust. Ideally this is accomplished by positioning the
fans with the supply in the blow-through and the exhaust in the draw-through
location. Other fan locations can be accommodated. Draw-through supply and
blow-through exhaust fan arrangements are not recommended.
2. Supply air contamination can also be reduced by flushing the heat exchanger
matrix with a volume of supply air deflected by a damper in the purging sec-
tion of the rotor. The purging sector damper is located on the supply air outlet
side at the point where the rotor passes from the exhaust airflow path to the
supply airflow path. The sector, which is adjustable between 0 and 6°, should be
set to suit the pressure differential in the system. The greater the pressure differ-
ential, the less forced purge air required and the smaller the purge angle.
Effectiveness is reduced by the amount of supply air lost to the exhaust air
through leakage and purging.

I N S TA L L AT I O N A LT E R N AT I V E S
Rotary heat exchangers can be supplied for installation in air handling units, in
the ducting or in a plant room. All variants and sizes can be installed either
horizontally or vertically.

EXHAUST AIR

SUPPLY AIR

DRIVE MOTOR
INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS

C O N N E C T I O N TO OT H E R A I R
HANDLING UNIT SECTIONS
The rotary heat exchanger
cassette is best connected to the
duct work by means of flanges
or drive slips.

I N S TA L L AT I O N I N A
PA C K A G E D S Y S T E M
The rotary heat exchanger is
installed directly on the floor. 7
Sheet metal safe-offs direct
the airflow through the heat
exchanger. Access for the drive
system must be provided.
PSYCHROMETRIC DATA
The following examples illustrate the heat transfer process psychrometrically for
various operating conditions and occurrences.

S U M M E R O P E R AT I O N
The charts show a Summer condition in which the outdoor air is warmer and more
humid than the exhaust air. The latent heat transfer heat exchanger lowers both the
moisture content and the temperature to the vicinity of the exhaust air conditions
and gives an enthalpy efficiency of 75%.
The sensible heat transfer heat exchanger lowers the temperature by the same
amount but does not change the moisture content, so the supply air enthalpy effi-
ciency will be only 25%. The example illustrates the significance of the moisture
efficiency of the latent heat transfer heat exchanger, especially in humid, warm
climates.

W I N T E R O P E R AT I O N
The charts show a Winter condition with moderately low outdoor temperature.
No condensation takes place in the sensible heat exchanger, therefore no moisture
transfers to the supply air.
On the other hand, the latent heat transfer heat exchanger raises the moisture
content of the supply air by almost 10.5 grains per pound of dry air, which usually
offers welcome humidification of the supply air. Caution must be exercised, howev-
er, if the indoor space is already humidified or generates significant humidity such
as in a school or place of assembly. The moisture transfer capabilities of the latent
heat exchanger can sometimes transfer more water vapor than is desired back into
the space.
The sensible heat transfer heat exchanger can operate without risk of freezing even
when condensation takes place at outdoor air temperatures below 32°F.
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WARM AIR / SUMMER COOL AIR / SUMMER

EXHAUST AIR RETURN AIR

COOL AIR / WINTER WARM AIR / WINTER

WARM AIR / SUMMER COOL AIR / SUMMER

OUTSIDE AIR S U P P LY A I R

COOL AIR / WINTER WARM AIR / WINTER


CHART 1
S E N S I B L E H E AT T R A N S F E R R OTO R
In sensible heat transfer rotors, sensible
heat is transferred so long as no conden-

%
90
sation occurs in the rotor. If condensation

%
70
does occur, moisture will evaporate into

%
50
the supply air. If condensation occurs,
the process as shown on the psy-

%
30
chrometric chart will vary with
the operating conditions and
OUTDOOR AIR SUMMER
thus cannot be generally
illustrated.

EXHAUST AIR SUMMER

ID ITY
EXHAUST AIR WINTER E HUM
ELATIV
10% R
OUTDOOR AIR WINTER
35 45 55 65 75 85 95 105 115

DRY BULB TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F)

CHART 2
TOTA L H E AT T R A N S F E R R OTO R
In total heat transfer rotors, the moisture
and temperature efficiencies are nearly the
%
90

same at rated speed. The process on the


%
70

psychrometric chart is therefore approxi-


%

mately along the interconnecting line


50

between the inlet conditions for the


ER
%
30

supply air and for the exhaust M


M
air. SU
R
AI
R
OO
D ER
O UT M
S UM
A IR
U ST
HA
EX

INTER IDIT Y
R AIR W E HUM
OUTDOO ELATIV
TER 10% R
AIR WIN
EXHAUST

35 45 55 65 75 85 95 105 115

DRY BULB TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F)

The charts above show various operating conditions all based upon 70% efficiency.
DES CHAMPS LABORATORIES INCORPORATED
P.O. Box 220 • 45 NB School Road • Natural Bridge Station, VA 24579 • [540] 291-1111 • FAX [540] 291-2211
www.deschamps.com
© 2002 Des Champs Laboratories Incorporated RHE-302/5M
(SUPERSEDES RHE-1098/5M)

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