23. Experimental Evaluation of a Total Heat Recovery Unit with Polymer Membrane Foils

A laboratory experimental study was conducted to investigate the energy performance of a total heat recovery unit using a polymer membranes heat exchanger. The study was conducted in twin climate chambers. One of the chambers simulated outdoor climate conditions and the other simulated the climate condition indoors. The airflows taken from the two chambers were connected into the total heat recovery unit and exchange heat in a polymer membrane foil heat exchanger installed inside the unit. The temperature and humidity of the air upstream and downstream of the heat exchanger were measured. Based on the measured temperature and humidity values, the temperature, humidity, and enthalpy efficiencies of the total heat recovery unit were calculated. The experiment was conducted in different combinations of outdoor climate conditions simulating warm and humid outdoor climates and air-conditioned indoor climate. The test was also conducted in isothermal conditions to observe the moisture transfer performance of the polymer membrane heat exchanger. The results of the experiment shows that total heat recovery equipment tested can recover up to 60 % of the total heat from the ventilation air. Around 87 % of the recovered total heat is latent heat that comes from the moisture transfer.