Heat- -Changer

DEFINITIONS AND USEFUL EQUATIONS: SELECTION CONSIDERATIONS:

1. Exchanger Effectiveness Heat-X-Changer selections can be made once the

Exhaust Air SCFM, Supply Air SCFM, Temperatures
Temperature Efficiency is defined as the and Humidity are known.
temperature change of the supply airstream divided
by the temperature difference between the inlet SUPPLY EXHAUST
exhaust air temperature and inlet supply air
temperature. 1. SCFM

Effectiveness %= Efficiency%=Eff.= 2. Temp (oF)

Supply SCFM (Outlet Temp - Inlet Temp)
3. Humidity (%RH)
(Exhaust Inlet Temp - Supply Inlet Temp)

Other desirable characteristics and required

2. Standard Air Flow Volume
constraints can then be placed on the selection
procedure to optimize the exchanger size and
SCFM is a standardized measure of volume of air
selection. Some factors to consider are:
moved per unit of time (Cubic Feet/Minute) and is
directly related to the weight of air moved per unit of
1. Size Is the unit to be high and thin, or low and
time. Actual CFM (ACFM) airflow at a given
wide?
Temperature and Barometric Pressure must be
converted to the Standard Temperature (70oF) and 2. Configuration Is the air inlet to be on the same
Barometric Pressure (29.92"wg) to provide consistent or opposite side of air outlet?
data for heat transfer calculations (normal
environment temperature and sea-level altitude 3. System Are factory assembled packages or
conditions do not require conversion to SCFM). The field installed components required to make
following formula is used to calculate SCFM for each the air to air heat exchanger system?
airflow when temperatures or altitudes deviate
excessively from Standard Conditions: 4. Accessories Are auxiliary devices such as
heaters, cooling coils, dampers or controls
required?
SCFM = (ACFM) x (530oR) x (Actual Barometric”hg)
(Temp oF + 460) 29.92"hg
5. Special Conditions/Requirements Are high
temperatures, high pressures, corrosion
resistance, contaminated or dirty air, high
The table on page 17 provides a multiplier that
humidity or other unusual requirements
will convert ACFM to SCFM using actual
placed on the equipment?
temperatures and elevations.
6. Performance What is the minimum
effectiveness and maximum pressure drop
acceptable?

7. Cost Are standard designs acceptable or are

custom features required?

With these considerations in mind, a reasoned

selection of a “Heat-X-Changer” can be undertaken.

11
Heat- -Changer

SELECTION PROCEDURE
This section presents examples of step-by-step XL30 which is approximately 30 inches high and,
procedures for selecting Heat-X-Changer elements. as indicated on the left side of the chart, will have
an approximate length of 45 inches.
EXAMPLE #1
ELEMENT SELECTION CHART
500
Standard Conditions 2
400
320 0 0 X8
0
250 0 X5 X6
X4

Element Length (Inches)

200 4 0
0 X2 X3
160
X2
1. The conditions for this selection are the 125
100
2
X1 4
80 X1
following: 63
50
X0
8

45 40 1

32

Supply Air: 3333 CFM 25

20
16

-20o F DB 13
10
8
Exhaust Air: 4081 CFM 6
5

80o F DB
0

150 400 1000 2500 4000 6500 15000 40000 100000

100 650 1500 4000 25000 65000
250 10000

50% RH
100 150 250 400 650 1000 1500 2500 4000 6500 10000 15000 25000 40000 65000 100000

Airflow (CFM)

CFM can be converted to SCFM by using the cor-
rection chart found on page 17.
3. After the initial element selection, refer to page 25
ALTITUDE/TEMPERATURE CONVERSION FACTOR
For Standard Cubic Feet/Minute (SCFM)
Chart Page 17
for element Model XL30. The chart shows Effec-
tiveness and Max. Pressure drop curves for three
optional XL30 plate spacings. For this selection,
pick element XL30B because of its higher effec-
tiveness and reasonable pressure drop.

Flat Plate Heat Exchanger Performance Curves

100 Effectiveness Max Pressure Drop

1.0
A
30
XL
90 XL
30A
ac
ing
0.8
Sp
ard
nd

Pressure Drop
Effectiveness
fectiveness

XL
30B Sta

(Inches W.G.)
Sta B
30
80 nd
ard
Sp
acin
XL
0.6
g 30C
XL
XL
30
C .48
% Ef

70 0.4
65
60 0.2

50 0.0
Chart Page 17 200 300 400 500 600 700
Face Velocity Ft./Min
(Refer to Conversion chart below for SCFM)

Supply Air: 4000 SCFM Conversion Chart - Airflow(SCFM) @ (Face Velocity x Face Area)
(AxB)
-20o F DB (B)
Face
Area 200 300
Element Face Velocity
400 500 600 700 Weight

Exhaust Air: 4000 SCFM Size

XL30-18
Length Sq. Ft.
18 3.31
ft/min
662
ft/min
993
ft/min
1323
ft/min
1654
ft/min
1985
ft/min
2316
lbs.(Nom)

110

80o F DB XL30-24
XL30-30
24
30
4.48
5.65
896
1129
1343
1694
1791
2259
2239
2823
2687
3388
3134
3952
150
180
XL30-36 36 6.82 1363 2045 2726 3408 4089 4771 210
50% RH XL30-42 42 7.98 1597 2395 3194 3992 4790 5589 240
XL30-48 48 9.15 1831 2746 3661 4576 5492 6407 280
XL30-60 60 11.49 2298 3447 4596 5745 6894 8043 360
XL30-72 72 13.83 2766 4149 5531 6914 8297 9680 420
2. For element model selection, refer to the Element Performance curves are based on standard conditions. For specific entering conditions, refer to
Selection Procedures, pages 12 through 19.

Selection Chart on Page 17. The Element Chart Chart Page 25

relates element height and length to the mid-range
4. Refer to the bottom of the XL30 Performance chart
airflow velocity for each model. Start the selec-
under the face velocity of 500 ft/min. A face ve-
tion by finding 4000 SCFM at the bottom of the
locity of 500 ft/min provides good efficiencies with
figure and follow the line up to where it intersects
acceptable pressure drops. Lower or higher face
the selection curves for five possible element
velocities can be selected depending on specific
models. For this selection, select model
efficiency or pressure drop requirements.

12
 Heat- -Changer

EXAMPLE #2
The closest scfm to 4000 under 500 fpm face ve-
locity is 3992 SCFM for the element model XL30-
Non-Standard Temperatures
42. Using the face area of 7.98 ft2 for element
X30B-42, calculate the actual face velocity through
1. This example will demonstrate element selection
the exchanger.
using non-standard supply air and exhaust air
temperatures.
4000 SCFM/7.98 ft2 = 501 ft/min
Supply Air: 10,000 SCFM
Now move up into the performance curves at 501
40o F DB
ft/min and find the following element perfor-
mance from the curve marked "XL30B",
Exhaust Air: 10,000 SCFM
Element X30B-42 Effectiveness = 65%, 120o F DB
max. air pressure drop = 0.48" w.g. 50% RH
@nominal cfm
2. From page 17, a model XL50 element is selected
with an approximate length of 65 inches.
5. Total energy recovered can be calculated as
follows: 3. On page 27, choose the model XL50C-60:

Heat Recovered = 1.085 x SCFM (supply air) Face Velocity = 10,000/19.07 = 524 fpm
x T(Sup) -T(Exh) Base Effectiveness = 67%
x Elem. Effectiveness. Max. Pressure Drop (SA) = 0.45" w.g.
= 1.08 x 4000 x (80-(-20)) x 0.65
= 282,100 Btuh
4. Refer to page 18 to find the temperature correc-
The performance charts are based on a supply air tion factor. Entering the table with 40o F supply
temperature of -20o F, an exhaust air temperature of air and 120oF exhaust air gives a correction factor
80o F @ 50% RH and an SCFM ratio of 1.0. If selection of 0.94.
conditions vary from these conditions the element
Base Effectiveness = 67%
effectiveness and pressure drops must be corrected
Temperature Correction Factor = 0.94
by the factors given in the correction tables on page
Final Effectiveness = 0.94 x 66%
18 and 19. The following examples provide element
selections using these correction tables. = 63%.

EFFECTIVENESS CORRECTION FACTORS*

FOR NON-STANDARD TEMPERATURES

* Average performance values for all element sizes with face velocities of 400-700 FPM.
Contact factory for individual element performance.

Chart Page 18

13
Heat- -Changer

5. The actual supply air and exhaust air pressure 2. Make initial selection from page 17:
drops can be calculated using the correction fac-
tors found in the table on page 19. Model XL14 @ 15" length

Nom Pressure Drop (SA) = 0.45 w.g.

Correction Factor (40oF) = 0.90 3. Go to performance charts, page 22, and find the
Actual Pressure Drop = 0.40" w.g following conditions for model XL14A-18:

Base Pressure Drop (EA) = 0.45 w.g. Face Velocity = (500/1.49) = 336 fpm
Correction Factor(120oF) = 1.12 Base Effectiveness = 68%
Actual Pressure Drop = 0.50" w.g Max. Pressure Drop = 0.25" w.g.

PRESSURE DROP CORRECTION FACTORS* 4. Refer to page 18 to find the temperature correction
FOR ACTUAL PRESSURE DROP factor of 1.06. From page 19, the pressure drop
correction factors are 0.73 (SA) and 1.02 (EA).
Exchanger Temperature For the Humidity correction factor refer to the bot-
elocity
FaceVelocity
FaceV -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140
100 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
tom of page 18.
200 0.95 0.96 0.97 0.98 0.99 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03
300 0.84 0.87 0.90 0.94 0.97 1.00 1.03 1.07 1.13 EFFECTIVENESS CORRECTION FACTORS*
400 0.78 0.82 0.86 0.92 0.96 1.00 1.04 1.09 1.15 FOR NON-STANDARD AIRFLOW RATIO AND
500 0.73 0.79 0.84 0.90 0.95 1.00 1.05 1.12 1.17 EXHAUST HUMIDITY
600 0.72 0.78 0.83 0.89 0.94 1.00 1.06 1.13 1.20
700+ 0.70 0.76 0.82 0.88 0.94 1.00 1.07 1.14 1.22

* Average performance values for all element sizes. Contact factory for individual
element performance.
Chart Page 19

6. Total energy recovered can be calculated as

follows:
* When supply temperature is warmer than exhaust temperature or if temperature correction factor
is less than .90, use correction factor under 50% RH.

Heat * Average performance values for all element sizes with face velocities of 400-700 FPM. Contact
factory for individual element performance.

Recovered = 1.085 x 10,000 x (120-40) x 0.63

Chart Page 18
= 546,840 Btuh
Enter the table at SCFM ratio of 1.0 and relative
humidity of 70% for a Humidity Correction Factor
of 1.16.
EXAMPLE #3
5. With correction factors selected, calculate the final
Non-Standard Temperatures and Exhaust element effectiveness and pressure drop.
Humidity
Initial Effectiveness = 68%
1. This example selects an element using non-stan- Temperature Correction Factor = 1.06
dard temperatures and exhaust humidity: Humidity Correction Factor = 1.16
Final Effectiveness = 68% x 1.06 x 1.16
Supply Air: 500 SCFM = 84%.
-40o F DB
Actual Pressure Drop (SA) = 0.73 x 0.25"
Exhaust Air: 500 SCFM = 0.18" w.g.
90o F DB Actual Pressure Drop (EA) = 1.02 x 0.25"
70% RH = 0.26" w.g.

Heat
Recovered = 1.085 x 500 x (90-(-40)) x 0.84
= 59,240 Btuh

14

EXAMPLE #4
Unequal Airflows (Exhaust > Supply)
1.This example selects an element using non-standard
temperatures, indoor humidity and SCFM ratio:
Supply Air: 16,666 SCFM
-10o F DB
Exhaust Air: 20,000 SCFM
60o F DB
30% RH
2. Make initial selection using the exhaust airflow, 2. Make initial selection using the supply airflow,
since it has the largest pressure drop.
Model XL60 @ 85" length
3. Go to performance charts and find the following 3. Go to performance charts and find the following
conditions for model XL60C-84: conditions for model XL60C-84:
Element Face Area = 31.94 ft2
Face Velocity (SA) = 522 fpm
Face Velocity (EA) = 626 fpm
Base Effectiveness (SA) = 73%
Base Pressure Drop (SA) = 0.60" w.g.
Base Pressure Drop (EA) = 0.80" w.g.
SCFM Ratio = 20,000/16,666 = 1.2
4. Refer to page 18 to find the temperature correction
factor of 0.94. For the Airflow Ratio/Humidity
correction factor, use the correction table at the
bottom of page 18. Enter the table with an SCFM
ratio of 1.2 and Exhaust air relative humidity of 30%
for an Airflow/Humidity Correction Factor of 0.96.
Base Effectiveness = 73%
Temp. Correction Factor = 0.94.
Hum./SCFM ratio Corr. Factor = 0.96
Final Effectiveness = 73% x 0.94 x 0.96
= 66%
Actual PD (SA) = 0.76 x 0.60"
= 0.46" w.g.
Actual PD (EA) = 0.94 x 0.80"
= 0.75" w.g.
Heat
Recovered = 1.085 x 16,666 x (60-(-10)) x 0.66
= 835,417 Btuh.
15
Heat- -Changer
EXAMPLE #5
Unequal Airflows (Exhaust < Supply)
1.This example selects an element using non-standard
temperatures, indoor humidity and SCFM ratio:
Supply Air: 20,000 SCFM
-10o F DB
Exhaust Air: 14,000 SCFM
60o F DB
30% RH
since it has the largest pressure drop.
Model XL60 @ 85" length
Element Face Area = 31.94 ft2
Face Velocity (SA) = 626 fpm
Face Velocity (EA) = 438 fpm
Base Effectiveness (SA) = 73%
Base Pressure Drop (SA) = 0.80" w.g.
Base Pressure Drop (EA) = 0.45" w.g.
SCFM Ratio = 14,000/20,000 = 0.7
4. Refer to page 18 to find the temperature correction
factor of 0.94. For the Airflow Ratio/Humidity
correction factor, use the correction table at the
bottom of page 18. Enter the table with an SCFM
ratio of 0.7 and Exhaust air relative humidity of 30%
for an Airflow/Humidity Correction Factor of 0.77.
Base Effectiveness = 73%
Temp. Correction Factor = 0.94
Hum./SCFM ratio Corr. Factor = 0.77
Final Effectiveness = 73% x 0.94 x 0.77
= 53%
Actual PD (SA) = 0.75 x 0.80"
= 0.60" w.g.
Actual PD (EA) = 0.96 x 0.45
= 0.43" w.g.
Heat
Recovered = 1.085 x 20,000 x (60-(-10)) x 0.53
= 805,070 Btuh.
Heat- -Changer
EXAMPLE #6
Indirect Evaporative Cooling
An example of indirect evaporative cooling is
shown on page 7. In the vertical pass, the scaven-
ger outdoor air is adiabatically cooled with direct
evaporative cooling as it passes through a wetted
media where it is nearly saturated and remains
saturated with a water spray as it passes through
the exchanger. The horizontal pass of the ex-
changer is supply air that is indirectly evapora-
tively cooled by the scavenger air.
Conditions entering the exchanger:
Outdoor Air: 10,000 SCFM
96oF DB
10% RH
Scavenger Air: 10,000 SCFM
62oF DB
90% RH
2. Find the initial effectiveness from the chart for
element XL50D-60,
Face Velocity = 549 fpm
Initial Effectiveness = 61%.
3. Use temperature correction factor,
High Temp = 96oF
Low Temp = 62oF (60oF+)
Temp Correction Factor = 0.83
Corrected Effectiveness = 61x0.83 = 51%
4. Initial temperature rise in the scavenger air with-
out water spray will be:
(96oF-62oF) x 51% = 17oF
With water spray in the cell, the scavenger air tem-
perature rise is reduced from 17oF to 5oF by contin-
ued adiabatic cooling. This effectively increases
the total temperature difference in the exchanger
by 12o F. The additional cooling effect on the sup-
ply air can be calculated as follows:
Supply air temperature (without spray)
(96oF-62oF) x 51% = 17oF
96oF - 17oF = 79oF
16
Supply air temperature (with spray)
12oF x 55% = 6oF.
79oF - 6oF = 73oF
4. Final Effectiveness will be:
17 + 6 = 23 = 68%
96 - 62 34
5. Total sensible cooling capacity from indirect evapo-
rative cooling will be:
Cooling Cap. = 1.08 x 10,000 SCFM x 23oF
= 249,600 Btuh
6. Contact XeteX for assistance in calculating capaci-
ties with different temperatures or other applica-
tions of indirect evaporative cooling.
EXAMPLE #7
Double-Pass Exchanger
1. For this example refer to Example #1 for condi-
tions and single-pass exchanger effectiveness.
2. Using the effectiveness for a single-pass ex-
changer, refer to the table on page 19 for the cor-
rection factor for double-pass exchangers.
SINGLE-PASS TO DOUBLE-PASS ELEMENT
EFFECTIVENESS CONVERSION CHART
Chart Page 19
From Example #1, the Single-Pass Effectiveness
is 65%.
Final Double-Pass Effectiveness = 79%
Heat
Recovered = 1.08 x 4000 x (80-(-20)) x 0.79
= 342,900 Btuh
The double pass element chart was developed
using the following relationship:
E2 = 2 x E1
1 + E1
Double-Pass Effectiveness = E2
Single-Pass Effectiveness = E1.
 Heat- -Changer

ALTITUDE/TEMPERATURE CONVERSION FACTOR

For Standard Cubic Feet/Minute (SCFM)
ALTITUDE (FEET)
ALTITUDE
AIR TEMP
F
F.. 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000
-20 1.20 1.16 1.12 1.08 1.04 1.00 0.97 0.93 0.89
0 1.15 1.10 1.06 1.02 0.99 0.95 0.92 0.88 0.85
20 1.11 1.06 1.02 0.98 0.95 0.92 0.88 0.85 0.82
40 1.06 1.02 0.98 0.94 0.91 0.88 0.81 0.79 0.76
60 1.02 0.98 0.94 0.91 0.88 0.85 0.81 0.79 0.76
70 1.00 0.96 0.93 0.89 0.86 0.83 0.80 0.77 0.74
80 0.98 0.94 0.91 0.88 0.85 0.81 0.78 0.75 0.72
100 0.94 0.91 0.88 0.84 0.81 0.78 0.75 0.72 0.70
120 0.92 0.88 0.85 0.81 0.78 0.76 0.72 0.70 0.67
140 0.89 0.85 0.82 0.79 0.76 0.73 0.70 0.68 0.65
160 0.85 0.82 0.79 0.86 0.74 0.70 0.68 0.65 0.63
200 0.80 0.77 0.75 0.72 0.69 0.67 0.64 0.62 0.60
250 0.75 0.72 0.69 0.67 0.62 0.62 0.60 0.58 0.56

ELEMENT SELECTION CHART

500
2
400 0
320 0 0 X8
250 0 X5 X6
X4
Element Length (Inches)

200
24 0
0 X X3
160
X2
125 2
100 X1 4
80
8 X1
63 X0
50
40
1

32
25
20
16
13
10
8
6
5
0

150 400 1000 2500 6500 15000 40000 100000

100 650 1500 4000 25000 65000
100 150
250
250 400 650 1000 1500 2500 4000 6500
10000
10000 15000 25000 40000 65000 100000

Airflow (CFM)

17
Heat- -Changer

EFFECTIVENESS CORRECTION FACTORS*

FOR NON-STANDARD TEMPERATURES
Supply Air Temperature (oF)
Temperature
-40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 60+
120+ 1.11 1.11 1.06 1.04 1.03 1.02 1.00 0.97 0.94 0.89
emperature (oF)

95 1.06 1.05 1.03 1.02 0.99 0.96 0.93 0.91 0.88 0.83
Temperature

90 1.06 1.04 1.03 1.00 0.98 0.95 0.92 0.89 0.85 0.83
85 1.06 1.03 1.02 0.99 0.97 0.95 0.92 0.87 0.84 0.83
80 1.06 1.03 1.00 0.98 0.95 0.94 0.91 0.85 0.83 0.83
75 1.05 1.02 0.99 0.97 0.94 0.92 0.90 0.85 0.83 0.83
Exhaust Air T

70 1.04 1.02 0.98 0.96 0.93 0.91 0.88 0.85 0.83 0.83
65 1.03 1.01 0.97 0.95 0.92 0.90 0.87 0.84 0.83 0.83
60 1.02 1.00 0.97 0.94 0.91 0.88 0.85 0.83 0.83 0.83
55 1.01 0.98 0.96 0.93 0.90 0.89 0.84 0.83 0.83 0.83
50 1.00 0.97 0.95 0.92 0.88 0.85 0.83 0.83 0.83 0.83
* Average performance values for all element sizes with face velocities of 400-700 FPM.
Contact factory for individual element performance.

EFFECTIVENESS CORRECTION FACTORS*

FOR NON-STANDARD AIRFLOW RATIO AND
EXHAUST HUMIDITY
Exhaust Relative Humidity
20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
& Below & Above

0.5 0.66 0.70 0.76 0.83 0.91 0.99 1.07

0.6 0.70 0.73 0.80 0.86 0.94 1.02 1.10
0.7 0.73 0.77 0.83 0.90 0.98 1.06 1.13
Exhaust/Supply
Airflow Ratio

0.8 0.77 0.80 0.87 0.93 1.01 1.09 1.16

0.9 0.80 0.84 0.90 0.97 1.05 1.13 1.19
1.0 0.84 0.87 0.93 1.00 1.09 1.16 1.21
1.1 0.89 0.93 0.97 1.04 1.13 1.20 1.25
1.25 0.94 0.97 1.05 1.09 1.17 1.24 1.28
1.4 1.01 1.04 1.09 1.14 1.21 1.27 1.32
1.7 1.09 1.11 1.15 1.20 1.27 1.32 1.35
2.0 1.16 1.18 1.21 1.25 1.30 1.34 1.37
* When supply temperature is warmer than exhaust temperature or if temperature correction
factor is less than .90, use correction factor under 50% RH.

* Average performance values for all element sizes with face velocities of 400-700 FPM. Contact
factory for individual element performance.

18
 Heat- -Changer

PRESSURE DROP CORRECTION FACTORS*

FOR ACTUAL PRESSURE DROP
Exchanger Temperature
elocity
FaceVelocity
FaceV -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140
100 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
200 0.95 0.96 0.97 0.98 0.99 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03
300 0.84 0.87 0.90 0.94 0.97 1.00 1.03 1.07 1.13
400 0.78 0.82 0.86 0.92 0.96 1.00 1.04 1.09 1.15
500 0.73 0.79 0.84 0.90 0.95 1.00 1.05 1.12 1.17
600 0.72 0.78 0.83 0.89 0.94 1.00 1.06 1.13 1.20
700+ 0.70 0.76 0.82 0.88 0.94 1.00 1.07 1.14 1.22

* Average performance values for all element sizes. Contact factory for individual
element performance.

SINGLE-PASS TO DOUBLE-PASS ELEMENT

EFFECTIVENESS CONVERSION CHART
Single Pass 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85
Effectiveness
Effectiveness
Double Pass 67 71 75 79 82 86 89 92
Effectiveness
Effectiveness

19