March 25 2008

What is an Enthalpy Wheel?

Entropy Wheel_Image 01

An Enthalpy Wheel is a type of Energy Recovery Ventilator (transfers both heat and sensible energy) that uses a rotating air permeable energy exchanger to transfer outgoing temperature and humidity (energy) to the incoming outdoor air. The energy exchangers are generally made of porous materials to increase surface area which aids in energy transfer. For sensible energy transfer, also called humidity, a desiccant such as Silica Gel or other molecular sieves are added to the device.

Here are some seductive photos of enthalpy wheels... and a nice diagram below to help explain how they work!

Entropy Wheel_Image 05 Combined

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3 Comments

November 17th, 2008 at 5:00 PM

Fernando Velez

Would like to know about the maintenance to an Enthalpy wheel.

November 26th, 2008 at 3:14 AM

john bland

What do you think about a energy recovery unit exhausting toilet/bathroom air.(enthalpy wheel in ERU)

January 6th, 2010 at 10:16 AM

Mike Sullivan

Do you suppose the enthalpy wheel could be powered directly by a wind generator or would it be more efficient with it's own motor?

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