A rotary heat wheel (energy recovery wheel) is a slowly rotating matrix that picks up heat and moisture from exhaust air and releases it into incoming supply air. It reaches higher effectiveness than fixed plates and suits large airflows.
How a rotary heat wheel works
The wheel spins through both airstreams. Sensible wheels store temperature; enthalpy wheels add a desiccant coating to also recover humidity. A purge sector minimizes supply/exhaust carryover, and frost strategies protect winter operation.
Types
- Sensible wheel – temperature only, aluminum matrix.
- Enthalpy wheel – temperature + humidity, desiccant coating.
- Hybrid wheel – combined recovery with a purge sector.
Key specifications
| Parameter | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Sensible effectiveness | 70–85% |
| Enthalpy effectiveness | 60–80% |
| Diameter | 0.5–4.0 m |
| Carryover | <5% with purge |
| Drive | Belt or direct, VFD |
Typical applications
Data centers, commercial buildings, airports, district energy and large ventilation. See data-center heat recovery with rotary wheels.
Read the heat exchanger guide, or compare the plate heat exchanger and heat pipe heat exchanger.
Need a specification? 견적 요청 or download our selection checklist. Our engineers size the core to your airflow, temperature and pressure-drop budget.