Heat Recovery 233

Example: The average summer outside air (OA) temperature is

90°Fdb and the exhaust air (EA) temperature is 75°Fdb. The heat
recovery system operates at 20,000 cfm at 73 percent efficiency.
The sensible heat transferred from the outside air is 236,520
Btuhs (20,000 × 1.08 × 15 × 0.73).
In the winter, the energy recovered from the exhaust air is
709,560 Btuhs because the temperatures are 30°Fdb OA and
75°Fdb EA (45°Fdb ∆T).
For total (enthalpy) heat recovery systems, the equation used
is: Btuht = cfm × 4.5 × ∆h

Where:
Btuht = total heat transferred
cfm = quantity of airflow
4.5 = a constant for total heat equations, and
∆h = the enthalpy (total heat) difference between the
airstreams (from wet bulb and dry temperatures).

Example: The average summer outside air wet bulb (wb) tem-
perature is 70°Fwb (enthalpy 33.8 Btu/lb°F @ 90db and 70wb)
and the exhaust air wet-bulb temperature is 60°Fwb (enthalpy
26.3 Btu/lb°F @ 75db and 60wb). The heat recovery system oper-
ates at 20,000 cfm at 73 percent efficiency.
The total heat transferred from the outside air is 492,750 Btuh
(20,000 × 4.5 × 7.5 × 0.73).
In the winter, the energy recovered from the exhaust air is
1,261,440 Btuh because the temperatures are 20°Fwb OA (en-
thalpy 7.1 Btu/lb°F @ 30db and 20wb) and 60°Fwb EA (enthalpy
26.3 Btu/lb°F @ 75db and 60wb).

PROCESS-TO-COMFORT SYSTEMS

Process-to-comfort systems are generally sensible heat recov-

ery only. Therefore, they are used only during the spring, fall, and
winter months… there is no heat recovery during the summer
234 HVAC Fundamentals

months. When considering process-to-comfort heat-recovery sys-

tems, the process effluent must be evaluated for harmful materials
such as corrosives, condensibles (moisture or water vapor), con-
taminants, and noxious or toxic substances.

PROCESS-TO-PROCESS SYSTEMS

Process-to-process systems also perform sensible heat recov-

ery only, usually full recovery, but in some cases, partial recovery
can be performed if circumstances dictate. Determining when to
use a process-to-process system for partial sensible heat recovery
instead of full sensible recovery is based on the circumstances
under which the system will operate. For example, when the ex-
haust stream contains condensibles, such as moisture or water
vapor, and possible overcooling of the exhaust air stream could
occur with full recovery then a partial recovery system is more
appropriate. Keep in mind, that as with process-to-comfort sys-
tems, the process effluent must be evaluated for harmful sub-
stances such as corrosives, condensibles, contaminants, and
noxious or toxic materials.

HEAT EXCHANGERS

A heat exchanger is a device specifically designed to transfer

heat between two physically separated fluids. The term heat ex-
changer can describe any heat transfer device such as a coil or a
particular category of devices. Heat exchangers are made in vari-
ous sizes and types. The basic types of heat exchangers are shell
and tube, shell and coil, U-tube, helical, and plate. Typical HVAC
heat exchangers are designed for a number of fluid combinations
including:

• steam to water (converter, steam coil)

• water to steam (generator, boiler)