56
The energy recovery wheel is “self-cleaning”
with respect to dry particles due to its laminar
flow characteristics. Smaller particles pass
through; larger particles land on the surface
and are blown clear as the flow direction is
reversed. Any material that builds up on the
face of the wheel can be removed with a
brush or vacuum. The primary need for
cleaning is to remove oil based aerosols that
have condensed on energy transfer surfaces.
A characteristic of all dry desiccants, such
films can close off micron sized pores at the
surface of the desiccant material, reducing
the efficiency by which the desiccant can
adsorb and desorb moisture and also build up
so as to reduce airflow.
In a reasonably clean indoor environment
such as a school or office building,
measurable reductions of airflow or loss of
sensible (temperature) effectiveness may not
occur for several years. Measurable changes
in latent energy (water vapor) transfer can
occur in shorter periods of time in
applications such as moderate occupant
smoking or cooking facilities. In applications
experiencing unusually high levels of
occupant smoking or oil based aerosols such
as industrial applications involving the
ventilation of machine shop areas for
example, annual washing of energy transfer
may be necessary to maintain latent transfer
efficiency. Proper cleaning of the energy
recovery wheel will restore latent
effectiveness to near original performance.
To Next Page
Loading...
