Development and Testing of Advanced Energy Recovery Ventilator Geometries

Buildings globally play a substantial role in energy consumption, representing more than 30% of the total energy demand. However, this energy usage is hindered by a lack of efficiency in HVAC systems, insufficient insulation, and the continuous need for fresh air, resulting in approximately 30% of this energy being wasted. Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) play a crucial role in enhancing energy efficiency in HVAC systems in buildings by capturing and transferring heat and moisture from exhaust air streams to pre-condition inlet fresh air. This study aims to enhance the thermal performance of membrane-based ERVs through modifications in channel design.
In this study, experiments will be conducted using an experimental setup at CORE’s company to investigate novel optimized geometries of ERV. Based on numerical simulations, reducing the channel height on one side of a specific CORE product could increase thermal efficiency by up to 5%. It has been numerically observed that in the same geometry which has a corrugated side, introducing a rib in the flow path enhances mixing, leading to increased heat and mass transfer coefficients. There is a potential for an increase of up to 4% in both sensible and latent effectiveness as a result of this

Faculty Supervisor:

Steven Rogak

Student:

Partner:

CORE Energy Recovery Solutions

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: