A rotary heat recovery wheel is a rotating honeycomb disc that slowly turns between the supply and exhaust air streams. As it rotates, the wheel absorbs heat from the exhaust air and releases it into the incoming fresh air. In enthalpy wheels, moisture is also transferred, making them ideal for humidity control.
How It Works
The wheel is divided into two halves. Hot exhaust air passes through one half, warming the storage matrix. The wheel then rotates into the cold supply air, releasing the stored heat. Because the rotation is continuous, the heat exchange process happens steadily with very little cross-contamination when purge sectors are used.
Sensible vs Enthalpy Wheels
- Sensible wheel: Transfers temperature only. Matrix is usually aluminum or stainless steel. Best for applications where humidity control is not required.
- Enthalpy wheel: Coated with a desiccant such as silica gel or molecular sieve. Transfers both heat and moisture. Useful in humid climates or where indoor humidity must be maintained.
Key Components
- Corrugated storage matrix (aluminum, stainless steel, or polymer)
- Drive motor and belt system
- Purge sector to limit air carryover
- Bearings and casing seals
Typical Applications
- Large central ventilation and air handling systems
- Hospital, school, and commercial building HVAC
- Swimming pools and ice rinks (enthalpy wheels)
- Industrial clean rooms and drying plants
Explore our heat recovery solutions to see matching products.
Maintenance Considerations
Rotary wheels need periodic inspection of belts, bearings, and seals. The matrix should be cleaned according to the manufacturer’s instructions to maintain efficiency and prevent contamination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there cross-contamination risk?
A properly sized purge sector reduces carryover to less than 0.04 % of the exhaust airflow, making rotary wheels safe for most ventilation applications.
What efficiency can I expect?
Sensible effectiveness typically ranges from 75 % to 85 %. Enthalpy wheels can recover 60–80 % of both temperature and moisture energy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there cross-contamination risk?
A properly sized purge sector reduces carryover to less than 0.04 % of the exhaust airflow, making rotary wheels safe for most ventilation applications.
What efficiency can I expect?
Sensible effectiveness typically ranges from 75 % to 85 %. Enthalpy wheels can recover 60–80 % of both temperature and moisture energy.
Specify the right heat exchanger
Our engineers size the core to your airflow, temperature and pressure-drop budget, and select plate, rotary or heat-pipe recovery by application. Read the heat exchanger guide or contact us for a specification.
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Passive, fully separated streams for clean applications.