Analysis of air-to-air rotary regenerator for HVAC systems using CFD

Abstract

Air-to-air heat exchangers play a crucial role in mechanical equipment, due to potential primary energy savings both, in the case of commercial properties and economic zones. This paper studies computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation in a rotary regenerator achieving a capacity of 90 ton by heating ventilation air conditioning systems The modelling is done using the commercial code ANSYSFLUENT©. The operating parameters like rotational speed, porosity of mesh and dimensions of rotary regenerator like length, diameter were studied and compared with literature. Effects of variation of pressure, velocity and temperature at different sections of the rotary regenerator which accounts for the effectiveness of rotary regenerator and the percentage increase in coefficient of performance (COP) of HVAC plant are discussed.