In addition, this new system from GEA Heat Exchangers offers various possibilities for preventive, continuous frost protection. These functions effectively prevent icing of the heat recovery unit. This system is particularly suited for use with central air-handling systems in non-residential buildings. It also enables savings in summer as well: a bypass prevents energy recovery from causing pressure drop during periods when recovery is not necessary. Thanks to its performance features, the GEA ECOPLATEplus operates more effectively on a yearly average than most comparable systems, and it achieves the level of the top heat recovery class: H1. The principle of this new solution is similar to that of a crossflow plate heat exchanger – and the areas of application of the two types of heat exchanger are similar.
The new system already satisfies the revised ErP Directive 2017
The GEA ECOPLATEplus is a heat exchanger with several layers, or levels, which are configured according to the counterflow principle. The flow through them is in a U-shaped pattern. The air paths in the unit are strictly separated, which assures maximum air hygiene. Outdoor-air and supply-air spigots are on the front face of the unit, and extracted-air and exhaust-air spigots are on the opposite side of this front unit face. Supply-air and exhaust-air ports are therefore far enough apart to minimize the danger of an air short circuit in cases of outdoor installation. Operators of the GEA ECOPLATEplus can expect pressure drop in the order of magnitude of only 80 to 180 Pa for inflow air speed between 1.5 and 2.0 m/s. If heat recovery is not necessary during summer, the bypass flaps are opened on the supply- and extracted-air side, and the air flows unimpeded past the heat exchanger.
The ECOPLATEplus principle offers the potential of effective use in future central air-handling systems designed to conform to the stipulations of the ErP Directive for 2017 (2017 European Directive for Energy-Related Products) as it will apply for non-residential buildings.