Investigation on a ventilation heat recovery exchanger: Modeling and experimental validation in dry and partially wet conditions

The present paper focuses on the development and experimental validation of a model of air-to-air heat exchanger dedicated to domestic mechanical heat recovery ventilation. The proposed model describes dry and partially wet regimes.The first part of the paper presents a semi-empirical model based on the physical characteristics of the heat recovery device and relying on empirical correlations available in the literature for the convective heat transfer coefficients. In the case of partially wet regime, a moving boundary model is applied in order to predict sensible and latent heat transfer rates. A model developed with friction factor coefficients estimated by correlations from the literature is also presented in order to predict the hydraulic performance in dry conditions.The second part of the paper describes the experimental investigation conducted on an off-the-shelf heat exchanger.Experimental data are used to tune correlations for the determination of the convective heat transfer coefficient and validate the proposed simulation model of the ventilation heat recovery exchanger in partially wet conditions. The model developed to determine the hydraulic performance with existing correlations for the friction factor coefficient does not require a calibration.Finally, examples of use of the developed model are presented, which includes coupling the model with a building simulation model, a study of the influence of the humidity on the evolution of the latent and sensible heat transfer rates and strategies to avoid freezing in the heat exchanger.

► We develop a semi-empirical model of the heat recovery exchanger in dry conditions.
► We apply a moving boundary model in order to predict heat transfer rate in partially wet regime.
► We carry out experimental investigation on the heat exchanger in dry and partially wet regimes.
► We calibrate and validate the proposed simulation model by means of experimental data.
► Parametric studies of the calibrated model are carried out.