How does the total energy wheel compare to flat plate exchangers in energy transfer efficiencies?
Metal flat plate exchangers transfer sensible heat (temperature) only and do not transfer moisture (latent), which reduces the total effectiveness of the energy transfer. A 75% efficient plate typically only has a total effectiveness of 30%. Even plates, such as the Mitsubishi Lossany core, transfer limited latent energy. Latent effectiveness for Lossany typically is in the 40% to 50% range. Greenheck energy recovery products transfer moisture, as well as sensible heat. Our wheel is about 70%-80% efficient in both latent and sensible. (Lower velocity will tend to have higher efficiency.) This dramatically increases the total effectiveness of the energy exchange and significantly shortens the pay back period of the unit. The April 1997 Update had an insert article titled “Plates vs. Wheels”, which addresses this question in much greater detail. The Greenheck web-site contains several technical articles including “Plates vs. Wheels”.
