US20140326432A1 - Counter-flow energy recovery ventilator (erv) core - Google Patents

Counter-flow energy recovery ventilator (erv) core Download PDF

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Publication number
US20140326432A1
US20140326432A1 US14/360,245 US201214360245A US2014326432A1 US 20140326432 A1 US20140326432 A1 US 20140326432A1 US 201214360245 A US201214360245 A US 201214360245A US 2014326432 A1 US2014326432 A1 US 2014326432A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
channels
heat
sheets
core
water vapor
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Abandoned
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US14/360,245
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English (en)
Inventor
James Franklin Dean
David Erwin Kadylak
Ryan Nicholas Huizing
Jordan Benda Balanko
Curtis Warren Mullen
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DPoint Technologies Inc
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DPoint Technologies Inc
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Priority to US14/360,245 priority Critical patent/US20140326432A1/en
Assigned to DPOINT TECHNOLOGIES INC. reassignment DPOINT TECHNOLOGIES INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: HUIZING, RYAN NICHOLAS, KADYLAK, David Erwin, MULLEN, Curtis Warren, DEAN, JAMES FRANKLIN, BALANKO, Jordan Benda
Publication of US20140326432A1 publication Critical patent/US20140326432A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F3/00—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems
    • F24F3/12—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling
    • F24F3/14—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by humidification; by dehumidification
    • F24F3/147—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by humidification; by dehumidification with both heat and humidity transfer between supplied and exhausted air
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
    • F28D21/00—Heat-exchange apparatus not covered by any of the groups F28D1/00 - F28D20/00
    • F28D21/0015—Heat and mass exchangers, e.g. with permeable walls
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
    • F28D9/00—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary plate-like or laminated conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall
    • F28D9/0025—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary plate-like or laminated conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall the conduits being formed by zig-zag bend plates
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
    • F28D9/00—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary plate-like or laminated conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall
    • F28D9/0031—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary plate-like or laminated conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall the conduits for one heat-exchange medium being formed by paired plates touching each other
    • F28D9/0037—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary plate-like or laminated conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall the conduits for one heat-exchange medium being formed by paired plates touching each other the conduits for the other heat-exchange medium also being formed by paired plates touching each other
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F28F9/00—Casings; Header boxes; Auxiliary supports for elements; Auxiliary members within casings
    • F28F9/02—Header boxes; End plates
    • F28F9/026—Header boxes; End plates with static flow control means, e.g. with means for uniformly distributing heat exchange media into conduits
    • F28F9/0265—Header boxes; End plates with static flow control means, e.g. with means for uniformly distributing heat exchange media into conduits by using guiding means or impingement means inside the header box
    • F28F9/0268—Header boxes; End plates with static flow control means, e.g. with means for uniformly distributing heat exchange media into conduits by using guiding means or impingement means inside the header box in the form of multiple deflectors for channeling the heat exchange medium
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F28F9/00—Casings; Header boxes; Auxiliary supports for elements; Auxiliary members within casings
    • F28F9/26—Arrangements for connecting different sections of heat-exchange elements, e.g. of radiators
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/30—Control or safety arrangements for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
    • F24F11/46—Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F3/00—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems
    • F24F3/12—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling
    • F24F3/14—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by humidification; by dehumidification
    • F24F2003/1435—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by humidification; by dehumidification comprising semi-permeable membrane
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F12/00—Use of energy recovery systems in air conditioning, ventilation or screening
    • F24F12/001—Use of energy recovery systems in air conditioning, ventilation or screening with heat-exchange between supplied and exhausted air
    • F24F2012/008—Use of energy recovery systems in air conditioning, ventilation or screening with heat-exchange between supplied and exhausted air cyclic routing supply and exhaust air
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F28F2275/00—Fastening; Joining
    • F28F2275/02—Fastening; Joining by using bonding materials; by embedding elements in particular materials
    • F28F2275/025—Fastening; Joining by using bonding materials; by embedding elements in particular materials by using adhesives
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B30/00—Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]
    • Y02B30/56—Heat recovery units

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to heat and humidity exchangers.
  • Example embodiments provide energy recovery ventilator (ERV) cores comprising a water-permeable membranes and ERV systems that include such cores.
  • ERV energy recovery ventilator
  • the invention may be applied in any of a wide variety of applications where heat and humidity exchange is required. Examples include heat and moisture recovery in building ventilation systems, humidification and heat transfer in fuel cells, separation of gases, and desalination treatment of water.
  • Heat and humidity exchangers also sometimes referred to as humidifiers
  • HVAC building ventilation
  • medical and respiratory applications gas drying
  • gas drying gas drying
  • water-permeable membrane across which heat and moisture may be transferred between fluid streams flowing on opposite sides of the membrane.
  • Planar plate-type heat and humidity exchangers use membrane plates that are constructed of planar, water-permeable membranes (for example, Nafion®, cellulose, polymers or other synthetic membranes) supported with a spacer and/or frame.
  • the plates are typically stacked, sealed and configured to accommodate intake and exhaust streams flowing in either cross-flow or counter-flow configurations between alternate plate pairs, so that heat and humidity are transferred between the streams via the membrane.
  • Hollow tube humidifiers have the disadvantage of high pressure drop, and enthalpy wheels tend to be unreliable because they have moving parts and tend to have a higher leak rate.
  • a heat recovery ventilator is a mechanical device that incorporates a heat and humidity exchanger in a ventilation system for providing controlled ventilation into a building.
  • the heat and humidity exchanger heats or cools incoming fresh air using exhaust air.
  • Devices that also exchange moisture between the incoming fresh air and the exhaust air are generally referred to as Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs), sometimes also referred to as Enthalpy Recovery Ventilators.
  • An ERV may remove excess humidity from the ventilating air that is being brought into a building or it may add humidity to the ventilating air.
  • ERVs may be used to save energy and/or to improve indoor air quality in buildings.
  • ERVs typically comprise an enclosure, fans to move the air streams, ducting, as well as filters, control electronics and other components.
  • the key component in the ERV which transfers the heat and humidity between the air streams is called the core or the exchanger.
  • the two most common types of ERVs are those based on planar membrane plate-type devices and those based on rotating enthalpy wheel devices, both mentioned above.
  • Planar plate-type ERV cores use layers of static plates that are sealed and configured to accommodate the intake and exhaust streams flowing in either cross-flow or counter-flow configurations between alternate pairs of plates.
  • FIG. 1 shows an example of a planar plate-type heat and humidity exchanger made from stacked planar sheets of membrane 3 with rigid corrugated spacers 6 inserted between the membrane sheets.
  • the spacers maintain proper sheet spacing as well as defining airflow channels 5 for wet and dry streams on opposite sides of each membrane sheet, in a cross-flow arrangement, as indicated by broad arrows 1 and 2 respectively.
  • the stack is encased within a rigid frame 4 .
  • planar plate-type heat and humidity exchanger designs for ERV, fuel cell, and other applications, is that they are readily scalable because the quantity (as well as the dimensions) of the modular membrane plates can be adjusted for different end-use applications.
  • Existing planar plate-type ERV cores are bulky and less effective than would be desired in facilitating enthalpy exchange.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 4,040,804 describes a heat and moisture exchanger for exchanging heat and moisture between incoming and outgoing air for room ventilation.
  • the exchanger has a cartridge containing a single pleated sheet of water-permeable paper. Air is directed in one direction along the pleats on one side of the pleated paper, and the return air flows in the opposite direction along the pleats on the other side of the pleated paper.
  • the ends of the cartridge are closed by dipping them in wax or a potting compound that can be cast and that adheres to the paper.
  • the pleats are separated or spaced, and air passages between the folds are provided, by adhering grains of sand to the pleated paper.
  • FIG. 2 shows an example of a heat and humidity exchanger suitable for energy recovery ventilator (ERV) applications which comprises a pleated water-permeable membrane cartridge disposed in a housing.
  • a plastic flow field element can be disposed within some or all of the folds of the pleated membrane for directing the stream over the inner surfaces of the folds, as described in US Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0085437.
  • the flow field element controls the relative flow paths of the two streams on opposite sides of the membrane and enhances flow distribution across one or both membrane surfaces.
  • the flow field elements can also assist in supporting the pleated membrane and controlling the pleat spacing within the pleated membrane cartridge.
  • FIG. 1 shows an example of a heat and humidity exchanger suitable for energy recovery ventilator (ERV) applications which comprises a pleated water-permeable membrane cartridge disposed in a housing.
  • a plastic flow field element can be disposed within some or all of the folds of the pleated membrane for directing the stream over the inner surfaces of the folds, as described in US Patent Application Publication
  • a first fluid stream is directed in a U-shaped flow path 122 from an inlet port 124 on one face of housing 115 to an outlet port 128 on the same face of housing 115 .
  • the first fluid stream is thus directed from inlet port 124 into a set of substantially parallel folds 126 on one side of pleated membrane cartridge 120 , then along the length of the folds 126 , and then out via port 128 .
  • a second fluid stream is similarly directed in a substantially U-shaped flow path 132 from an inlet port 134 to an outlet port 138 on the same face of housing 115 (both ports 134 and 138 being on the opposite face of housing 115 from ports 124 and 128 ).
  • the second fluid stream is directed from port 134 into a corresponding set of substantially parallel folds 136 on the other side of pleated membrane cartridge 120 , then along the length of the folds 136 , and then out via port 138 .
  • the flow path 122 of the first fluid stream is in a substantially counter-flow configuration relative to flow path 132 of the second fluid stream.
  • ERV cores with stacked planar membrane sheets that operate in a substantially counter-flow configuration to transfer heat and humidity across planar membrane sheets.
  • the membrane sheets can be interleaved with rigid plastic spacers that define flow channels as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,331,376.
  • the flow field inserts or spacers used in the heat and humidity exchangers described above often provide controlled or directional gas flow distribution over the membrane surface.
  • the fluid flow paths across the membrane surface tend to be quite tortuous and turbulent, so the flow can be quite restricted and the pressure drop across the overall apparatus can be significant. If there are many closely-spaced ribs to support the membrane, the ribs will tend to impede or block the fluid flow, and also increase pressure drop. With more widely-spaced ribs the membrane can deflect into the channel also increasing the pressure drop. Therefore, the use of non-permeable flow field inserts is generally undesirable.
  • the inventors have recognized that there remains a need for cost effective and efficient ERV systems and cores.
  • This invention has several aspects and encompasses a wide range of specific embodiments. Aspects of the invention provide building ventilation systems; heat and humidity exchangers; cores for heat and humidity exchangers; sub-assemblies for cores of heat and humidity exchangers; and methods for fabricating heat and humidity exchangers.
  • a heat and humidity exchanger comprising a core.
  • the core comprises a plurality of water vapor-permeable sheets.
  • the sheets are layered or stacked. at least some of the sheets are pleated to provide a plurality of groups of channels extending through the core.
  • Each of the plurality of groups of channels comprises channels defined between two adjacent ones of the sheets and extending along the pleats of at least one of the pleated sheets.
  • a plurality of plenums is formed on opposed sides of the core.
  • the plenums on each of the opposed sides of the core are configured such that the channels of groups of channels on opposing sides of the same one of the sheets are fluidly connected to different ones of the plenums.
  • the plenums are defined at least in part by manifold members attached along opposite edges of the sheets, at least one of the manifold members comprising a sheet that is connected to and follows an edge of one of the pleated water vapor-permeable sheets.
  • a heat and humidity exchanger comprising a core comprising a plurality of channels.
  • a first group of the plurality of channels extends from a first plenum through the core to a second plenum.
  • a second group of the plurality of channels extends from a third plenum through the core to a fourth plenum.
  • Each of the plurality of channels in the first group has walls in common with a plurality of the channels of the second group and each of the plurality of channels in the second group having walls in common with a plurality of the channels of the first group.
  • the plurality of channels is defined by a plurality of water vapor-permeable membrane sheets. At least one of the water vapor-permeable membrane sheets being pleated.
  • the pleated water vapor-permeable membrane sheet defines a plurality of the walls of each of a plurality of the first group of channels.
  • the first and fourth plenums are separated at least in part by a manifold sheet that is connected to and follows an edge of the pleated water vapor-permeable membrane sheet.
  • a heat and humidity exchanger comprising a core comprising a plurality of channels each having a triangular cross-section.
  • a first group of the plurality of channels extends from a first plenum through the core to a second plenum.
  • a second group of the plurality of channels extends from a third plenum through the core to a fourth plenum.
  • Each of the plurality of channels in the first group has walls in common with a plurality of the channels of the second group and each of the plurality of channels in the second group has walls in common with a plurality of the channels of the first group.
  • Each of the common walls is water vapor-permeable.
  • a heat and water vapor exchanger comprising a core structure comprising a plurality of layered water vapor permeable sheets attached together to form a self-supporting structure.
  • a plurality of the layered water vapor permeable sheets are pleated such that triangular channels extend through the core.
  • a manifold structure comprises manifold members attached along edges of the vapor permeable membrane sheets of the core. The manifold members form stacked plenums such that channels extending through the core between different pairs of adjacent ones of the water vapor permeable membrane sheets are in fluid communication with different ones of the plenums.
  • FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a heat and humidity exchanger comprising a stack of planar membrane layers interleaved with rigid corrugated spacers (prior art).
  • FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a heat and humidity exchanger comprising a pleated membrane cartridge disposed in a housing (prior art).
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a pleated water-permeable membrane.
  • FIG. 4A is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating two pleated water-permeable membrane sheets that can be joined to form a diamond-shaped channel.
  • FIG. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating four pleated water-permeable membrane sheets arranged to form an array of diamond-shaped channels.
  • FIG. 4C is a schematic cross-sectional view of a pleated membrane combination like those shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B with flattened peaks.
  • FIG. 4D is a non-isometric 3D view of an embodiment of an ERV core showing the central pleated membrane section with diamond- or parallelogram-shaped channels.
  • FIG. 5A is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating two box-pleated water-permeable membrane sheets that can be joined to form channels of a square or rectangular cross-section.
  • FIG. 5B is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating four pleated water-permeable membrane sheets arranged to form an array of square- or rectangular-shaped channels.
  • FIG. 6A is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a pleated and a flat sheet of water-permeable membrane that can be joined to form channels of triangular cross-section.
  • FIG. 6B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a stack of alternating pleated and flat sheets of water-permeable membrane forming a sub-assembly of channels of triangular cross-section.
  • FIG. 7A is a simplified exploded 3D view of a pair of pleated membranes forming parallel channels with a diamond-shaped cross-section, with manifold sections attached to each membrane sheet.
  • FIG. 7B shows a simplified 3D partial cut-away view of the assembly of FIG. 7A with two fluid streams following through the diamond-shaped channels in counter-flow.
  • FIG. 8 is a plan view of the upper manifold/membrane assembly shown in FIGS. 7A & 7B .
  • FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view at location A-A in FIG. 8 .
  • FIG. 9B shows a view looking down the channels from a cross-section at location B-B in FIG. 8 .
  • FIG. 9C shows a view looking down the channels from a cross-section at location C-C in FIG. 8 .
  • FIG. 9D is a cross-sectional view at location D-D in FIG. 8 showing the zig-zag cross-section of the pleated membrane.
  • FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how the plenums created between adjacent manifold sections in a stacked core assembly (similar to that shown in FIG. 7 ) correspond to the diamond-shaped channels that they are supplying/discharging.
  • FIG. 11A is a simplified exploded isometric view of an assembly like that of FIG. 7A , but interleaved with an additional flat membrane sheet forming parallel channels with a triangular-shaped cross-section.
  • FIG. 11B shows the flow of the two fluid streams on opposite sides of a manifold section that has ribs to direct the flow.
  • FIG. 11C is a plan view illustrating the flow pattern of the two fluid streams in an assembly similar to the one shown in FIG. 11A .
  • FIG. 12 is a diagram showing how the plenums created between the flat membrane sheets and adjacent manifold sections in a stacked core assembly (similar to that shown in FIG. 11 ) correspond to the triangular-shaped channels that they are supplying/discharging.
  • FIG. 13 shows how the plenums created between adjacent manifold sections in a stacked core assembly similar to that shown in FIG. 5B would correspond to the square-shaped channels that they are supplying/discharging.
  • FIG. 14A is a plan view of a manifold/membrane subassembly with a central pleated membrane and a manifold section at each end, where the channels have a diamond cross-section.
  • FIG. 14B is a plan view of a manifold/membrane subassembly with a central pleated membrane and a manifold section at each end, where the channels have a triangular cross-section.
  • FIG. 15 is a photo of a compression molded layer made entirely from a formable water permeable membrane.
  • FIG. 16 is a graph illustrating the performance of an ERV core comprising a prototype stacked pleated membrane core.
  • FIG. 17 is a graph illustrating the pressure drop for two prototype ERV cores comprising stacked triangular-pleated membranes.
  • FIG. 18 is a graph illustrating the performance of the two prototype ERV cores comprising stacked triangular-pleated membranes.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 are described above.
  • Performance of heat and humidity exchangers can be improved, and the required heat and humidity exchanger size can be reduced, by providing heat and humidity exchanger constructions that provide one or more of: enhancing flow distribution across one or both surfaces of heat and vapor exchange membranes; controlling the relative flow paths of fluids on opposite sides of heat and vapor exchange membranes; providing improved support for heat and vapor exchange membranes; reduced pressure drop across the heat and humidity exchanger; increased membrane surface area per unit volume of the exchanger; and/or membranes that have improved water transport and other properties.
  • Certain embodiments disclosed herein provide ERV cores with water-permeable membranes configured to allow multi-dimensional transfer of moisture as well as heat. Multi-dimensional transfer across a water-permeable membrane can provide more efficient energy recovery and allow the ERV core to be more compact for a given level of performance. Embodiments as described herein may be used to transfer heat and moisture between two streams flowing in a counter-flow configuration for more efficient energy recovery.
  • Designs and manufacturing methods as described herein may be applied to provide ERV core constructions that are free of spacers.
  • thin, flexible membranes may be shaped and attached to one another to provide self-supporting layers and core structures that are robust enough to withstand significant pressure differentials.
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a sheet of pleated water-permeable membrane.
  • the pleated membrane defines the walls of channels through which a fluid stream (e.g. wet or dry air) can be directed to flow, and across which heat and humidity may be exchanged.
  • the membrane may be attached to plastic manifold sections (as described in more detail below) to direct the fluid stream from inlet ports into the channels and from the channels to outlet ports.
  • the membrane should be sufficiently thin to allow adequate exchange of heat between the two streams, driven by the temperature gradient between the streams.
  • the membrane is also water-permeable to allow moisture to pass through the material, driven by the vapor pressure differential or water concentration gradient between the two streams. Thinner membranes will tend to have higher heat and moisture transport rates.
  • the membrane is also impermeable to air, and contaminant gases, to prevent the mixing and crossover of the two streams through the membrane.
  • the pleated membrane may be prepared, for example, by folding a sheet of membrane such as with heat and/pressure to provide plastic deformation to the folded edge (e.g. with push-bar pleating technology), or by forming a membrane to have pleats, such as with gears or score-and-pleat rotary pleating technology.
  • the angle of the pleats may be varied. For a constant channel hydraulic diameter, larger pleat tip angles allow more layers of membrane to be provided in a core of a certain height, but with less overall membrane area per layer.
  • the pleats are formed to have angles in the range of 70 degrees to 100 degrees. Some embodiments have pleat angles in the range of 50 to 70 degrees (e.g. 60 degrees). Pleat tip angles close to 60 degrees can advantageously provide improved heat and mass transfer, with the high use of membrane area, for a given core height.
  • FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view illustrating two pleated water-permeable membrane sheets that can be joined to form channels with a diamond-shaped cross-section (or a parallelogram-shaped cross-section).
  • the peaks of one pleated membrane can be attached to the peaks of the adjacent pleated membrane, for example, by gluing, bonding, heat-welding or sealing.
  • the joined pleated membrane sheets are self-supporting and require no spacer or supporting material other than the membrane itself. Adhering, or otherwise attaching, peaks in one pleated membrane sheet to peaks in adjacent membrane sheets can provide sufficient strength for the membrane channel to withstand a pressure differential.
  • a polyurethane glue is used to adhere the peaks of one pleated membrane to the corresponding peaks of an adjacent membrane.
  • Other suitable glues or adhesives can also be used for the same purpose.
  • Glues that are permeable to water vapor will allow water transport to occur even in the regions where the pleated membranes are attached to one another.
  • Glues that are permeable to water vapor transfer may be of the class that are polymer-based, with soft chain sections that allow water to pass through, such as PermaxTM from Lubrizol.
  • PermaxTM from Lubrizol.
  • FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view illustrating four pleated water-permeable membrane sheets arranged to form an array of diamond-shaped channels.
  • Two different fluid streams can be directed through alternate channels in a counter-flow configuration. Flow into the plane of the paper is indicated by a cross, and flow out of the plane of the paper is indicated by a dot.
  • each diamond-shaped channel shares its walls with as many as four other channels. Heat and humidity can be transferred across all four walls of the channel through the water-permeable membrane. For a given channel, the flow in adjacent channels is in the opposite direction to the flow in the given channel. This is referred to as a counter-flow configuration.
  • Each fluid stream is independent of the other and does not depend on the peak-to-peak adhesion of the pleated membranes to provide a seal, so there is reduced potential for cross-leakage between the two streams. If a peak seal were not perfect, any leak into an adjacent channel would be a channel carrying the same fluid, and would not cause mixing of the two streams or adversely affect heat or mass transfer.
  • FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view also showing an arrangement of water-permeable membrane sheets forming an array of diamond-shaped channels.
  • the peaks of the diamonds, along the pleated lines of the membrane are flattened to provide a larger area for attachment to peaks in adjacent membrane sheets.
  • This embodiment can provide a mechanically stronger sub-assembly of membrane sheets with substantially the same sensible and latent transfer as the arrangement shown in FIG. 4B .
  • An alternative to flattening the peaks is to form the peaks of one pleated membrane layer, with a small trough or valley that extends along the crests of the peaks. Peaks of an adjacent layer may then nest into the troughs or valleys. Such troughs or valleys may be formed in the crests on only one face of the pleated membrane layer or in the crests on both faces of the pleated membrane layer.
  • FIG. 4D shows a 3D representation of a stacked pleated membrane sub-assembly with diamond-shaped channels. Even though it can be made using a thin, flexible membrane material, the structure is self-supporting. This approach of stacking and gluing (or otherwise attaching) pleated membrane sheets provides a very high membrane surface area per unit volume of the exchanger providing a device with high effectiveness of heat and moisture transfer.
  • FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view illustrating two box-pleated water-permeable membrane sheets that can be joined to form channels with a square or rectangular cross-section.
  • the box-pleats form a castellation, and the castellation pattern is offset between adjacent membrane sheets allowing the sheets to be joined to form square or rectangular channels.
  • Each pleat line on one of the membrane sheets is glued, or otherwise attached, to the corresponding pleat line on an adjacent membrane sheet.
  • the glued membrane sheets are self-supporting and require no spacers or other material to provide rigidity or support, and the channels are able to withstand pressure differentials.
  • FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view illustrating four box-pleated water-permeable membrane sheets arranged to form an array of square-shaped or rectangular-shaped channels. Two different fluid streams can be directed through alternate channels in a counter-flow configuration. As before, flow into the plane of the paper is indicated by a cross, and flow out of the plane of the paper is indicated by a dot. Each channel shares its walls with as many as four other channels. Heat and humidity can be transferred across all four walls through the water-permeable membrane.
  • the square- and diamond-shaped channels arrangements are topologically and functionally equivalent, and sub-assemblies with square channels can be oriented during assembly to provide diamond channels and vice versa.
  • Other channel shapes such as parallelograms may also be created by stacking layers of pleated membranes.
  • the pleated membrane sheets may be separated by a mesh or other suitable material, configured in a sheet or in strips arranged perpendicular to the channels, or other suitable configuration.
  • This construction can be used instead of, or in addition to, the use of glue or welding along the pleat lines. This approach can reduce the tendency for the pleats to slip into one another during assembly and can provide structural support. This construction can be applied in the square or diamond arrangements described above.
  • FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view showing a pleated water-permeable membrane sheet and a flat water-permeable membrane sheet positioned below it.
  • the pleated lines (the lower peaks in the cross-sectional view) in the pleated membrane sheet can be glued, welded or otherwise attached to the flat membrane sheet to create parallel channels of triangular cross-section. These channels each have three boundaries across which heat and humidity can be transferred.
  • Stacking alternate sheets of pleated membrane and flat membrane creates a mechanically self-supported structure that requires no spacers or other supporting material. In this arrangement, again all flow channels walls are water-permeable allowing heat and humidity transfer to occur between all adjacent channels.
  • FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of a stack of membrane sheets in this configuration with the membranes forming an array of channels that are triangular in cross-section.
  • Two different fluid streams can be directed through alternate channels in a counter-flow configuration. As before, flow into the plane of the paper is indicated by a cross, and flow out of the plane of the paper is indicated by a dot. Each channel shares its walls with as many as three other channels. Heat and humidity can be transferred across all three walls through the water-permeable membrane.
  • the manufacturing method of pleating and then gluing, welding or otherwise attaching pleated membrane sheets to one another allows thinner membrane materials to be used and still have the strength to be self-supporting in the resulting 3 D-structure.
  • the resulting sub-assembly does not have to be held under tension.
  • this self-supporting structure can provide channels having walls that offer increased rigidity because they are supported by other parts of the structure even though the walls may be formed of a relatively thin, flexible membrane material. This increased rigidity may offer reduced pressure drop and improved uniformity of flow distribution through the core. Further, the structure facilitates providing channels that have consistent channel dimensions which further aids in achieving good uniformity of flow among the channels.
  • the pleated water-permeable membrane layers define a three-dimensional array of parallel channels arranged in a regular pattern.
  • Each of the channel walls, defined by the membrane material separates channels of first and second types, e.g. for carrying wet and dry streams, respectively.
  • the two fluid streams can be directed through the channels so that the wet and dry streams flow in counter-flow to one another. This provides more efficient transfer of heat and moisture with high sensible and latent transfer.
  • the individual sheets of pleated membrane can each be attached to a manifold section (before they are stacked) forming a manifold/membrane sub-assembly.
  • the manifold/membrane sub-assemblies may then be stacked and glued together to form a core.
  • the manifold section can be in the form of a unitary frame that borders the sheet of pleated membrane on all sides, or can be in two (or more) separate pieces that are, for example, attached to opposite ends of the pleated membrane sheet.
  • the manifold section can be made of a different material than the membrane, such as a material that is not permeable to water or gas, and is stiffer and stronger than the membrane.
  • the manifold section material can be plastic, aluminum or any other suitable material that provides some structural support to the membrane and the stacked core, while still providing heat transfer in the manifold region.
  • the material of the manifold section is less than 0.012 inches (about 1 ⁇ 4 mm) in thickness.
  • the manifold section may be made of a flame retardant material which will reduce the tendency for a flame to spread to the membrane section and increase compliance with flammability requirements.
  • the manifold section may be made of aluminum or other metals; PVC, which is generally inherently self-extinguishing; or a plastic comprising one or more flame-retardant additives, such as magnesium hydroxide.
  • Manifold sections may be made in a wide range of different ways. For example, features in manifold section(s) can be vacuum-formed or thermoformed or stamped therein. In some embodiments the manifold sections are formed with features and then attached to the membrane. Alternatively the manifold sections could be injection molded as separate plastic pieces, and then attached to the pleated membrane, or they could be injection molded directly onto the edges of the pleated membrane. The membrane can be adhered to the manifold section using a suitable glue, adhesive or other bonding agent, tape or the like. Some polyurethane-based glues have been found to be suitable for this purpose.
  • adhesive such as epoxies, hot melts, cyanoacrylates, and even membrane coating materials that may also be useful to prevent or reduce cross-over contamination.
  • epoxies hot melts
  • cyanoacrylates and even membrane coating materials that may also be useful to prevent or reduce cross-over contamination.
  • the attachment of the membrane to the manifold section should create a leak-proof seal to prevent cross-contamination between the two fluid streams.
  • the bond should be strong enough to prevent delamination of the membrane from the manifold section when there is a high differential pressure between the fluid streams on opposite sides of the membrane.
  • manifold sections may provide mechanical support to the water transfer membrane.
  • the core may be self-supporting with reduced attachment between adjacent layers.
  • Each layer may be constructed separately.
  • the layers may each form a self-supporting structure, much like a truss.
  • the layers, each including manifold sections and a moisture-exchange section may then be stacked together to form a heat and humidity exchanger.
  • the ratio of water-permeable membrane area to water impermeable manifold material area in the layers of the pleated membrane core assembly may be adjusted to adjust the relative amounts of sensible heat and latent heat (moisture) that are transferred by the pleated membrane core. Increasing the area of water permeable membrane facilitates increased moisture transfer.
  • the manifold section may comprise the same material as the water permeable membrane region, for example the manifold section may comprise a water-permeable membrane layer that is formable.
  • This sheet of formable material may make up a layer that includes both a pleated region which will define counter-flow channels when stacked together with an adjacent layer and manifold regions that are configured so as, when stacked together with an adjacent layer, to direct a flow into channels at one end of the pleated region and to receive the flow on the other side of the pleated region (see FIG. 15 below, for example).
  • such a layer may be made of coated PET non-woven membrane, with properties that allow it to be molded or formed with pleats, ribs, bumps, and/or other out-of-plane features through the application of heat and/or pressure.
  • a manifold section is also water-permeable permit increased humidity transfer due to the larger transfer area. The transition from the inlet or outlet to the center straight channels can follow the same lofting as described below, to transition from a wide rectangular area into alternating cells of channels arranged laterally.
  • the design of the manifold sections is such that, when they are stacked in the assembled core, they enable a first fluid stream to enter into alternate channels laterally (a first type of channel), and enable a second fluid stream (flowing through the core in the opposite direction) to exit from the other channels (second type of channel).
  • the manifold receives the first fluid stream from the first channel type and directs the second fluid stream into the alternating channels of the second type.
  • the two fluid streams are fluidly isolated from one another so that they do not mix.
  • the manifolds can be designed to ensure smooth flow transition between the manifold regions and the channels so as to reduce or minimize the overall pressure drop through the exchanger device.
  • the manifold sections may be constructed to include features that improve performance of a heat and humidity exchanger by providing increased heat and/or humidity transfer between fluids and/or reduced pressure drop. For example:
  • FIG. 7A shows a simplified exploded 3D view of an assembly 700 comprising a pair of pleated membrane sheets 710 and 720 that, when stacked, form parallel channels with a diamond-shaped cross-section.
  • Manifold sections 730 and 740 are attached to each membrane sheet.
  • the two manifold sections form a plenum 750 between them, with a rectangular opening via which a first fluid stream can be supplied to the channels formed between the two membrane layers.
  • the stacked manifold sections 730 and 740 are shaped to provide smooth transition regions 735 and 745 between the plenum 750 , which has a rectangular cross-section, and the triangles that form half of each diamond-shaped channel.
  • FIG. 7A shows a simplified exploded 3D view of an assembly 700 comprising a pair of pleated membrane sheets 710 and 720 that, when stacked, form parallel channels with a diamond-shaped cross-section.
  • Manifold sections 730 and 740 are attached to each membrane sheet.
  • the two manifold sections form a
  • FIG. 7A shows a simplified 3D partial cut-away view of two fluid streams following through the diamond-shaped channels in counter-flow.
  • the first fluid stream enters a first set of diamond-shaped channels 775 via the plenum formed between the two manifold sections 730 and 740
  • the second fluid stream exits a second set of diamond-shaped channels 785 via the plenum formed above the upper manifold section 730 .
  • the fluids are in a cross-flow configuration in the manifold region.
  • FIG. 8 is a plan view of the upper manifold/membrane assembly shown in FIGS. 7A & 7B .
  • FIGS. 9A-D are intended to illustrate the smooth transition from the manifold region into the channels.
  • FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view at location A-A in FIG. 8 .
  • FIG. 9A shows the plenum 750 for the first fluid stream 770 below the manifold section 730 , and the plenum for the second fluid steam 780 above the manifold section 730 .
  • the first stream 770 enters the lower plenum 750 and the second stream 780 exits the upper plenum, as indicated by the broad arrows.
  • FIG. 9B shows a view looking down the channels from a cross-section at location B-B in FIG. 8 .
  • FIG. 9C shows a view looking down the channels from a cross-section at location C-C in FIG. 8 . This shows the gradual shaping of the manifold section in transition region 735 into a wavy cross-section. At this point the waves are not quite as deep as the zig-zag membrane pleats, and the further slope of manifold transition regions 735 are visible above and below the wavy cross-section in FIG. 9C .
  • FIG. 9D is a cross-sectional view at location D-D in FIG. 8 showing the zig-zag cross-section of the pleated membrane 710 .
  • FIG. 10 shows how the plenums created between adjacent manifold sections in a stacked core assembly (similar to that shown in FIG. 7A ) correspond to the diamond-shaped channels that they are supplying/discharging.
  • the first fluid can flow in a straight path between the unshaded area of the channels of the first type and the supply plenum for the first fluid.
  • the second fluid can flow in a straight path between the unshaded area of the channels of the second and the discharge plenum for the second fluid.
  • FIG. 11A shows a simplified exploded isometric view of an assembly 1100 like that of FIG. 7A , but with an additional flat membrane sheet 1115 interposed between the pair of pleated membrane sheets 1110 and 1120 thereby forming parallel channels with a triangular-shaped cross-section.
  • the pleated membranes 1110 and 1120 are preferably glued or otherwise bonded to the flat membrane sheet 1115 along the pleat lines, to improve structural rigidity of the assembly and to allow the membrane channels to better withstand pressure differentials.
  • the bond along the pleat lines does not need to be leak-proof, however, as any leak would be into an adjacent channel of the same type (i.e. carrying the same fluid stream).
  • Manifold sections 1130 and 1140 are attached to each pleated membrane sheet.
  • Plenums 1150 and 1155 are formed between each manifold section 1130 and 1140 and the adjacent flat membrane sheet 1115 , via which a first and second fluid streams can be supplied to the channels formed between the pleated and flat membrane layers.
  • the manifold sections 1130 and 1140 are shaped to provide smooth transition regions 1135 and 1145 between the plenums, which have a rectangular cross-section, and the triangular-shaped channels.
  • FIG. 11B shows the flow of two fluid streams (in a cross-flow configuration) on opposite sides of one manifold section 1130 a that in the illustrated embodiment has ribs 1190 to direct the flow and support the membrane 1115 .
  • FIG. 11C is a plan view illustrating the flow pattern of two fluid streams in an assembly similar to the one shown in FIG. 11A .
  • the flat membrane sheet extends into manifold region. This can be advantageous as it allows heat and moisture transfer to occur between the fluid steams in adjacent plenums, as well as in the pleated membrane region. However, without adequate support in this region, deflection of the membrane can occur, increasing the pressure drop, and so it may be necessary to provide supporting ribs or features in the manifold sections.
  • the flat sheet of membrane is attached to the edges of the adjacent manifold sections to create a leak-proof seal. Suitable adhesives, or welding techniques may be used, such as for example, thermal welding, vibration welding, ultrasonic welding, or RF welding.
  • the flat membrane sheet does not extend into the manifold region, but is attached to manifold sections made from a different material.
  • manifold sections made from a different material.
  • the stacked manifold sections are shaped to provide smooth transitions between the plenums (which have a rectangular cross-section) and the triangular-shaped channels.
  • FIG. 12 shows how the plenums created between the flat membrane sheets and adjacent manifold sections in a stacked core assembly (similar to that shown in FIG. 11A ) correspond to the triangular-shaped channels that they are supplying/discharging.
  • the first fluid can flow in a straight path between unshaded area of the channels of the first type and the supply plenum for the first fluid.
  • the second fluid can flow in a straight path between the unshaded area of the channels of the second type and the discharge plenum for the second fluid.
  • FIG. 13 shows how the plenums created between adjacent manifold sections in such a stacked core assembly would correspond to the square-shaped channels that they are supplying/discharging.
  • the first fluid can flow in a straight path between unshaded area of the channels of the first type and the supply plenum for the first fluid.
  • the second fluid can flow in a straight path between the unshaded area of the channels of the second type and the discharge plenum for the second fluid.
  • the manifold sections can have features formed in one or both surfaces to direct the flow from the plenums into the corresponding channels, such as the ribs shown in FIG. 11B . Such features can, for example, improve flow distribution. They can also support the membrane if it extends into this region (for example, as in the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 11A ). Features that will promote mixing or turbulence of the fluid streams can also be incorporated into the manifold sections to improve performance.
  • the use of vacuum-formed or thermoformed manifold entrance and exit sections allows a variety of counter-flow sizes to be produced with varying channel heights without significant investment in tooling (such as would be the case with injection molded separators currently in use).
  • the manifold members are each connected to the core along a first edge, have an up-turned wall along a second edge and a down-turned wall along a third edge such that, when stacked together the manifold members form a column of plenums that open alternately to sides corresponding to the first and second edges.
  • FIG. 14A is a plan view of a manifold/membrane subassembly 1400 with a central pleated membrane 1410 and manifold sections 1430 and 1440 attached at each end, where the channels have a diamond cross-section.
  • the manifold sections 1430 and 1440 include ribs on one side to direct the fluid stream into the respective channels.
  • FIG. 14B is a plan view of a manifold/membrane subassembly 1450 with a central pleated membrane 1460 and manifold sections 1480 and 1490 attached at each end, where the channels have a triangular cross-section.
  • the manifold sections 1480 and 1490 include ribs on both sides of the midplane of the manifold section to direct the fluid streams into the respective triangular-shaped channels.
  • the assembled core can be potted along the sides and ends. It can be encased in a metal or plastic frame which can also assist in blocking flame spread to allow for compliance with flammability standards. A metal frame can also act as a heat sink.
  • the core can be housed in an enclosure, which can also house fans to move the air streams, ducting, as well as filters, control electronics and other components.
  • the present membrane cores are readily manufacturable and can be readily scaled to different sizes, as the pleated membrane can be cut to different sizes to suit the particular end-use application and the number of layers in the stack can be varied.
  • Membranes that have been used or suggested for ERV applications include cellulose films; cellulose fibre or glass fibre papers or porous polymer films that are coated or impregnated with a hydrophilic polymer or a hydrophilic polymer-desiccant mixture; thin film composites manufactured via interfacial polymerization; laminated membranes made from a blown film on a non-woven support layer; laminated membranes comprising an ionomer film bonded to a porous support; and sulphonated and carboxylated ionomer films.
  • Membranes of this type can retain a pleat once folded, which tends to increase the strength of the membrane channels in the core designs described herein.
  • a membrane that is formable or can be corrugated may be used.
  • Engineered composite membrane materials which can be formed to create features and hold various structures, may allow increased performance and decreased cost in membrane-based devices such as those described herein.
  • the use of a electrospun nanofibrous membrane on a formable backer in a counter-flow heat and humidity transfer device takes advantage of the formable property of the membrane.
  • a number of methods may be available with which to form the membrane, e.g. with channels or other features, (with or without the use of heat) such as compression molding, vacuum forming or stamping.
  • FIG. 15 is a photo of a layer made entirely from a formable water permeable membrane comprising a coated nanofibrous layer on a polyester spunbond nonwoven fabric support layer.
  • the layer comprises manifold regions at each end, and a central section with straight channels, all made of the same material.
  • the features were formed in the membrane layer by heating it (80° C.) in a compression mold.
  • Such layers can be stacked to form an ERV core assembly
  • sheets of polyester spunbond nonwoven fabric (Smash Specialty Nonwoven Y15100) were obtained from Asahi Kasei. These materials are designed for formability under low heat ( ⁇ 100° C.). Coatings of PAN nanofibres were deposited on these support layers with three different loadings.
  • the nanofibrous layers were then impregnated with aqueous solutions of a polyetherpolyurethane co-polymer at three concentrations (13, 15, and 17% by weight). The materials were dried in an oven at 50° C.
  • Multi-directional transfer was demonstrated using a prototype with a vacuum-formed corrugated plastic spacer designed to have approximately the same heat transfer as a pleated membrane.
  • the prototype showed the predicted increase in heat transfer compared to a counter-flow design with only vertical (1-dimensional) transfer for the same pressure drop. The increase was due to the multi-dimensional nature of the transfer.
  • a second prototype was made using pleated membrane in the counter-flow section, with thermoformed plastic manifold sections for the entrances and exits.
  • a polyurethane glue was used to attach the membrane to the manifold sections.
  • the graph shown in FIG. 16 shows the performance of an ERV core, comprising this second prototype stacked pleated membrane, as a function of flow rate.
  • the graph shows the effectiveness of sensible heat and latent (moisture) transfer for the pleated membrane core.
  • a third prototype was made with triangular channels in a core with a larger footprint size.
  • a fourth prototype was also built with taller triangular channels.
  • the third prototype triangular-pleated membrane core had a pitch, or layer-to-layer membrane spacing, of 3.2 mm in the straight counter-flow section. This resulted in a channel entrance height of approximately 1.6 mm. Such a small height signifies a relatively low hydraulic diameter in the entrance and exit areas of each layer, resulting in a pressure drop that was higher than desired.
  • the fourth prototype was constructed to demonstrate that pressure drop can be reduced by providing different channel dimensions. In the fourth prototype, the layer-to-layer spacing was 4.5 mm. This increased the entrance and exit heights of the manifolds to approximately 2.2 mm. The reduction in pressure drop achieved in the fourth prototype versus the third prototype is illustrated in FIG. 17 .
  • An ERV is typically operated in laminar flow in the layers of the core, so heat and mass transfer is only a function of hydraulic diameter and Nusselt number (a type of dimensionless temperature gradient), which is constant for a given geometry if the flow is laminar.
  • Nusselt number a type of dimensionless temperature gradient
  • the Nusselt number will decrease as one moves away from an equilateral triangle. The change of pleat angle from 90° to 60° in the fourth prototype therefore also compensated for the decrease in number of layers.
  • the graph shown in FIG. 18 shows the performance of these third and fourth prototype ERV cores, as a function of flow rate.
  • the graph shows the effectiveness of sensible heat and latent (moisture) transfer was quite similar for the two prototypes.
  • Heat and humidity exchangers as described herein may be applied, for example, to exchange heat and humidity between a flow of fresh air entering a building and a flow of air being vented from a building.
  • a component e.g. a core, structure, plenum, fan, duct, etc.
  • reference to that component should be interpreted as including as equivalents of that component any component which performs the function of the described component (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), including components which are not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention.

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US10317095B2 (en) 2019-06-11
ES2730850T3 (es) 2019-11-13

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