Energy recovery: assessing a rotary exchanger

Resorting to source-based collection systems is often the only solution for preserving the health of employees exposed to hazardous substances. However, the air extracted in this way must be compensated by high energy-hungry ventilation systems, especially when the fresh air introduced requires heating during the winter period. The resulting extra costs can nevertheless be offset by installing energy recovery systems. Several
technologies are now available, including the rotary exchanger. An assessment of this machine performed at a car manufacturing site reveals that savings are of the order of 5,000 €/year and could be as much as 18,000 €/ year under normal operating
conditions. In the latter case, the investment return period is less than 4 years.