Heat Exchanger Pressure Drop and Fan Energy

目次

heat exchanger only saves energy if the recovered heat exceeds the extra electricity needed to push air through it. That trade-off is governed by pressure drop.

  • Face velocity (higher speed = steeper rise)
  • Core depth and plate count
  • Surface corrugation and coating thickness
  • Dust or fiber loading on fins

Manufacturers publish pressure drop vs airflow. A good design operates on the flatter part of the curve — typically 2–3 m/s face velocity for plates. Beyond that, fan power rises faster than recovered heat.

Net savings = recovered thermal energy − extra fan energy. As a rule of thumb, keep added pressure drop under 100–150 Pa for ventilation applications unless efficiency gains are large.

  • Use EC plug fans to capture part-load efficiency.
  • Add pre-filters to keep the core clean.
  • Provide access for periodic cleaning.
  • Model the full year, not just design day.

Is a bigger core always better?
Not always. A deeper core raises efficiency but also pressure drop; optimize the combination.

How often should I clean?
Inspect quarterly in dusty duty; clean when pressure drop rises 15–20 % above baseline.

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