Simulation of heat transfer and pressure drop in bundles type air to air heat recovery equipment

This paper presents a comparative analysis between the results obtained with different equations for heat transfer coefficients and of pressure drop in heat recovery equipment with pipe bundles. The research method was based on different analytical equations available in literature, both for heat transfer coefficients and for pressure drop calculations. These equations were implemented in the Equation Engineering Software (EES) platform as part of this study. A total of 19 different equations for heat transfer coefficients inside and outside the pipes bundles and for the pressure drop calculations inside and outside the pipes bundles were studied. The air flow speed was considered up to 20 m/s, both inside and outside. This work presents a comparative study of the obtained results and a validation based on similar results available in literature. As conclusions, it was possible to select the most appropriate equations, to be used in the design of air to air heat recovery pipe bundle equipment.