An experimental analysis of the fluid flow on performance and frost formation in exhaust air energy recovery heat exchanger

In the present paper, results for fluid flow, temperature and air humidity experimental measurements for innovative energy recovery counterflow air-to-air heat exchanger have been shown. For the low outdoor air temperatures case, frost formation is also observed and analysed. Base on the results of analysis the temperature, humidity and total efficiency of the exchanger are presented. The analysis showed that fluid flow rate, humidity and system efficiency significantly drop down under unfavourable conditions in the winter period when the outdoor temperature decrease below -5oC. In the present system, the heat exchanger equipped with a set of opposing air dampers can use intake air to absorb the moisture from the exhaust air. This solution has the advantage to prevent the exchanger frosting as well as melt ice layer if any growth on heat exchanger walls.