Ilmalämmönvaihdin

Ilmalämmönvaihdin, also known as an air-to-air heat exchanger, is a device designed to transfer heat between two air streams. This process is commonly used in ventilation and heating systems to recover heat that would otherwise be lost. The core principle involves separating the incoming fresh air from the outgoing stale air using a material that facilitates heat transfer, such as metal plates or rotating wheels.

In a typical plate-type ilmalämmönvaihdin, the incoming and outgoing air streams flow through alternating channels. Heat from the warmer air stream is conducted through the channel walls to the cooler air stream. This preheats or precools the incoming fresh air, reducing the energy required by the heating or cooling system. Rotary heat exchangers, on the other hand, use a rotating matrix that absorbs heat from one air stream and then releases it to the other as it rotates.

Ilmalämmönvaihtimet are a key component in energy-efficient building design, particularly in mechanical ventilation systems with heat recovery (MVHR). By recovering a significant portion of the heat from exhaust air, they reduce the overall energy consumption for maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures. This leads to lower energy bills and a reduced environmental impact. The effectiveness of an ilmalämmönvaihdin is measured by its thermal efficiency, which indicates the percentage of heat transferred. Various designs and materials are available to suit different applications and efficiency requirements.