récupérateur

A récupérateur, in its most common context, refers to a device or system designed to recover and reuse resources that would otherwise be wasted. This can apply to a variety of domains, including energy, water, and materials.

In the context of energy, a récupérateur might be a heat exchanger that captures waste heat from one process and transfers it to another, thereby improving overall energy efficiency. For example, in industrial settings, hot exhaust gases can be passed through a récupérateur to preheat incoming air or water, reducing the need for additional fuel. Similarly, in buildings, heat recovery ventilation systems can capture heat from outgoing stale air to warm incoming fresh air.

In water management, a récupérateur is a system for collecting and reusing water, often rainwater or greywater. Rainwater harvesting systems collect precipitation from roofs for use in irrigation or toilet flushing. Greywater systems treat and reuse water from sinks, showers, and washing machines for non-potable purposes.

Material récupérateurs are systems designed to sort, process, and reintegrate discarded materials back into the production cycle. This is a core concept in recycling and the circular economy, aiming to minimize landfill waste and conserve raw materials. Examples include sorting facilities for recyclable waste or machinery that breaks down old plastics for remanufacturing. The term emphasizes the active process of reclaiming and repurposing.