Model-Based Performance Analysis of the Enthalpy Wheel

A mathematic model of an enthalpy wheel has been developed to analyze its performance based on energy and mass balance and heat and mass transfer correlation in the enthalpy wheel. It is a one-dimensional transient model solved by the finite volume method. Both summer and winter conditions were studied to explore the impact on the performance of an enthalpy wheel from various design and operating conditions such as the wheel depth, process air face velocity, isotherm coefficient (C), and the maximum water content. The model result predicted that the total effectiveness of the enthalpy wheel is at range of 50∼75% at typical operation condition. The depth of wheel and the face velocity of process air play an important role in the performance of the enthalpy wheel, compared to the other studied parameters. The increase of the wheel depth from 0.15 meter to 0.3 meter can improve the total effectiveness of the enthalpy wheel from 53% and 58% to 72% and 69% in summer and winter. The increase of process air face velocity from 0.5 m/s to 1.5 m/s reduces the total effectiveness of the enthalpy wheel from 75% to 50%.