Project Management and Construction Services

 
 
   

Design and Construction Standards

Technical Specification

SECTION 23 72 00

Air-to-Air Heat Recovery Equipment

 
All renovation and new construction activities on The University of Texas at Austin campuses are required
to meet the UT Austin Design and Construction Standards (DCS). This includes the very first planning and
design stages through actual construction and facilities maintenance and management. They reflect the
planning, design, construction, maintenance, and other facilities asset expertise of University personnel.
These documents are to be used as a guideline on all UT Austin projects, and are not to be used for bidding,
permitting, construction or any other purpose. Any deviations must be approved by the respective Division
Champion, and will be submitted in writing by the Project Manager. The Design and Construction
Standards are controlled by Project Management and Construction Services, The University of Texas at
Austin. This document is the property of UT Austin, and use of this document, in part or in whole, for any
purpose other than for a UT Austin project may not be done without written permission of the University.
For any comments or questions related to UT Austin Design and Construction Standards, please contact
the Project Management and Construction Services Planning group at:
campus_standards@austin.utexas.edu or by phone at (512) 471-0665.
The issuance and revision history of this Section is tabulated below. Please destroy any previous copy in
your possession.

Rev Date Pages Remarks Documents

Referenced
8/01/2019 All Draft Technical Specification created.
12/20/19 All New Technical Specification published.

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SECTION 23 72 00 – AIR-TO-AIR ENERGY RECOVERY EQUIPMENT

PART 1 - GENERAL

SUMMARY

A. This section specifies equipment for energy recovery from one air stream to another air stream.
In general, heat recovery equipment shall be applied in accordance with the current edition of
ASHRAE Standard 189.1 - Standard for the Design of High-Performance Green Buildings,
Section 7 Energy Efficiency: Prescriptive Option.

THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS ARE TO BE INCLUDED AS IF WRITTEN HEREIN:

A. Division 1 – General Requirements

B. Section 23 00 00 – Basic HVAC Requirements

C. Section 23 05 13 – Motors

D. Section 23 05 53 – Mechanical Identification

E. Section 23 07 19 – Piping Insulation

F. Section 23 07 16 – Equipment Insulation

G. Section 23 09 23 – Direct Digital Control Systems

H. Section 23 21 00 – Hydronic Piping

I. Section 23 31 00 – Ductwork

J. Section 23 34 00 – HVAC Fans

K. Section 23 41 00 – Particulate Air Filtration

L. Section 23 73 00 – Indoor Air Handling Units

SECTION INCLUDES

A. Air-to-air heat recovery equipment, including rotary (heat wheel) heat exchangers, fixed plate
heat exchangers, heat pipe heat exchangers, and run-around coils.

REFERENCES

A. AFBMA 9 – Load Ratings and Fatigue Life for Ball Bearings

B. AFBMA 11 – Load Ratings and Fatigue Life for Roller Bearings

C. AHRI 410 – Forced Circulation Air Cooling and Air Heating Coils

D. AHRI 1060 – Performance Rating of Air-to-Air Exchangers for Energy Recovery Ventilation
Equipment

E. AHRI Guideline V – Calculating the Efficiency of Energy Recovery Ventilation and its Effect and
Sizing of Building HVAC Systems

F. AMCA 99 – Standards Handbook

G. AMCA 210 – Laboratory Methods of Testing Fans for Rating Purposes

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H. ANSI/ASME B31.9 – Building Services Piping

I. ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 34 – Designation and Safety Classification of Refrigerants

J. ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 84 – Method of Testing Air-to-Air Heat/Energy Exchangers

K. ASHRAE Standard 189.1 – Standard for the Design of High-Performance Green Buildings

L. ASTM D635 – Standard Test Method for Rate of Burning and/or Extent and Time of Burning of
Plastics in a Horizontal Position

M. NEMA MG1 – Motors and Generators

N. NFPA 70 – National Electrical Code

O. SMACNA – HVAC Duct Construction Standards Metal and Flexible

P. UL 900 – Test Performance of Air Filter Units

SUBMITTALS

A. Submit under provisions of Section 23 00 00.

B. Include with the initial submittal a letter signed by the manufacturer’s national sales manager (or
any corporate officer) and the production manager, acknowledging that this equipment is
intended for a University of Texas facility and that all specification requirements shall be
complied with.

C. Shop Drawings: Indicate assembly, unit dimensions, weight loading, required clearances,
construction details, field connection details, electrical characteristics, and connection
requirements.

D. Product Data:

1. Provide literature that indicates dimensions, weights, capacities, ratings, gauges and
finishes of materials, electrical characteristics and connection requirements.

2. Provide data of filter media, filter performance data, filter assembly, and filter frames as
tested and certified per ASHRAE standards.

3. Submit electrical requirements for power supply wiring including wiring diagrams for
interlock and control wiring, clearly indicating factory-installed and field-installed wiring.

E. Manufacturer's installation, and operation and maintenance instructions.

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE DATA

A. Submit under provisions of Section 23 00 00.

B. Maintenance Data: Include instructions for lubrication, filter replacement, motor and drive
replacement, coil cleaning, water treatment, spare parts lists, and wiring diagrams.

QUALITY ASSURANCE

A. All calculations and efficiencies to meet the performance requirements of this Section are to be
performed as described in the referenced AMCA, ASHRAE, and AHRI standards and
guidelines.

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B. All materials shall meet or exceed all applicable referenced standards, federal, state, and local
requirements, and conform to codes and ordinances of authorities having jurisdiction.

C. Performance of all heat recovery system to be as shown on Engineer’s drawings

DELIVERY, STORAGE, AND HANDLING

A. Deliver, store, protect and handle products to site under provisions of Section 23 00 00.

B. Accept products on site in factory-fabricated protective containers, with factory-installed

shipping skids and lifting lugs. Inspect for damage.

C. Store in clean dry place and protect from weather and construction traffic. Handle carefully to
avoid damage to components, enclosures, and finish.

EXTRA MATERIALS

A. Furnish under provisions of Section 23 00 00.

B. Provide two sets of belts and three sets of filters for each unit. One set of filters is to be
installed when unit is started up, and shall be protected from construction debris with additional
media at the first bank of filters. The second set of filters is to be installed when test and
balance activities begin. At substantial completion, CPC RCM representative shall inspect
filters to determine if the third set should be installed or delivered to campus operations
personnel. Tag to identify associated unit.

SCHEDULES ON DRAWINGS:

A. In general, all capacities of equipment, and motor and starter characteristics are shown in
schedules on the drawings. Reference shall be made to the schedules for such information.
Variations in the capacities of the scheduled equipment supplied under this contract will be
permitted only with the written direction of the owner. Insofar as is possible, all items of the
same type (i.e., pumps, fans, etc.) shall be by the same manufacturer. Where installation
instructions are not included in these specifications or on the drawings, the manufacturer's
instructions shall be followed.

PART 2 - PRODUCTS

MANUFACTURERS

A. Only equipment from companies with a minimum of three (3) years documented experience of
specializing in the engineering, design, fabrication, and testing of air-to-air heat recovery
equipment shall be approved.

EQUIPMENT

A. All equipment shall be shipped to the job with not less than a prime coat of paint or as specified
hereinafter.

B. All equipment affected by altitude shall be rated to operate at the altitude where it is installed.

ENERGY RECOVERY SYSTEM COMPONENTS

A. Rotary Heat Exchangers:

1. Rotary air to air heat recovery equipment shall be applied and integrated with air handling
units. Units to be complete with energy transfer wheels, permanently lubricated bearings,
shafts, purge sectors, air-seals, wheel drive motors, motor speed reducers, drive belts, all

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enclosed in steel casing. Units to be factory assembled, tested and shipped as one piece.
Do not apply rotary energy recovery wheels to systems with risk of cross leakage from
contaminated air streams such as chemical lab fume hood exhaust or animal facilities.

2. Units to be capable of transferring sensible and latent heat at approximately the same
efficiencies and be tested in accordance with ASHRAE 84-78P, AHRI Guideline V, and
AHRI 1060 standards.

3. Rotor or wheel:

a. Construct rotor of corrugated aluminum treated with inorganic compounds and

strengthened with radial spokes for rigidity. Desiccant coating shall be
bacteriostatic, non-toxic and non-corrosive. The rotor media shall be provided in
segmented fashion to allow for field erection or replacement of one section at a time
without requiring side access.
b. The rotor shall be supplied with labyrinth seals only, which at no time shall make
contact with any rotating surface of the exchanger rotor face.
c. Construct transfer media of non-asbestos material and in accordance with NFPA
ruling, pass UL 900 flame and smoke tests. All materials shall have NFPA-90 rating
of 25/50 or better.
d. Transfer media shall, when exchanging energy at efficiency listed in schedule, run
dry to touch and not require condensate drain for summer or winter operation.

4. The rotor shall be supported by two pillow block bearings which can be maintained or
replaced without the removal of the rotor from its casing or the media from its spoke system.
Lubrication ports must be easily accessible.

5. Casings and Seals:

a. Provide casing seals on periphery of rotor as well as on duct divider and purge
sections. The rotor face or wheel surface shall be ground and polished to form a
smooth surface a long seal life.
b. The seals shall be adjustable, made of extended life materials such as neoprene,
and effective in limiting air bypass leakage. Seals to be held in place with clips
fastened to stud welded bolts and compressed by retaining band. Required seal
clearance to be factory set and checked at installation.
c. Make casing side panels removable to provide easy access to internal parts.

6. Furnish units with built-in purge sections, allowing maximum cross contamination of
particulates of 0.2% and maximum exhaust air carryover of 0.04% by volume.

7. Seals and purge settings to be adjusted after installation as recommended by the

manufacturer.

8. Units to be capable of variable speed operation to maintain constant design or scheduled

supply air discharge temperature. Furnish units with all components necessary for control
of variable speed operation including variable speed motor and drive assembly, VFD
controls, air stream temperature sensors for heating control and summer-winter
changeover, and control panels.

9. Provide a digital display indicating temperature readings of each air stream in and out, and
all other readings and set points as required to control the unit.

B. Fixed Plate Heat Exchangers

1. Plates to be 0.021 inch corrugated diamond embossed aluminum with spacing as

recommended by the manufacturer.

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2. Bedding: Thermosetting reinforced resin. Provide plate seal-off and passage separation at
top, bottom, and center divider. The resins shall be self-extinguishing in accordance with
ASTM D635.

3. Casing and End Strips: Casing to be 16. Ga. Galvanized steel in accordance with NFPA.
Provide 304 or 316 stainless steel casing where corrosive air streams are present. End
strips of the same material as heat exchanger plates. Ends of heat exchanger plates to be
sealed with high temperature silicon sealant prior to installation of end strip. For corrosive
air streams provide welded end strips to avoid cross contamination.

4. Provide integral flanges for flanged duct connections, and provide lifting holes or lugs.

5. Furnish face and bypass dampers where indicated on the drawings:

A. Face and bypass control dampers shall be constructed with galvanized steel blades
and frame, with blade and blade jamb seals for low leakage performance. Dampers
shall be provided by the manufacturer complete with electric actuators.
B. Provide HVAC BAS controls to operate face and bypass dampers during summer
and winter operation.

C. Heat Pipe Heat Exchangers

1. Thermal recovery units shall be capable of operating at temperatures ranging from a

minimum of 20 degrees F to a maximum 120 degrees F. The heat transfer between air
streams shall take place in a counter flow arrangement. The unit shall have no moving part
and shall be one-piece construction.

2. The heat pipes shall be inside and integral to the equipment cabinet or located in the
ductwork. In either case, drain pans are required and to be provided by others. Heat Pipe
circuits comprise multiple tubes connected in series, end-to-end.

3. Energy recovery heat pipes shall be tested and certified to AHRI standard 1060. Tests shall
also show zero EATR (Exhaust Air Transfer Ratio) from exhaust to supply air.

4. Heat pipes shall be completely manufactured and fully assembled at the manufacturer’s
facility by factory personnel. Conversion of third party coils is not acceptable.

5. The tubes shall be 1/2“OD copper, of specific design for heat pipe application, permanently
expanded onto the fin collar to form a firm, rigid, and complete pressure contact at all
operating conditions. Aluminum tubes will not be allowed.

6. The fin surface shall be continuous plate type aluminum or copper fins of a specific design
to produce maximum heat transfer effectiveness for heat pipe applications. Airside
pressure loss shall be as given on the schedule or otherwise specified. Fin density and the
number of rows of tubes shall be as specified.

7. The heat pipe modules shall have an optional protective coating of E-Coat, similar to
Electrofin, or phenolic, similar to Heresite. Coils shall be dipped and completely submerged
to ensure full coverage of coating - spray coatings are not acceptable.

8. Heat transfer fluid shall be classified as Safety Group A1 in ASHRAE Standard 34.

9. Heat pipe capacities, entering and leaving dry and wet bulb temperatures, and face velocity
shall be as specified by the Engineer.

10. The frames and mounting structure shall be a minimum of either 16 gauge galvanized steel
or stainless steel. Cross contamination between the air streams is not acceptable.

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11. Heat pipe circuitry shall be as specified by manufacturer. Each circuit shall be individually
processed, charged, and hermetically sealed.

12. Scheduled effectiveness or heat recovery shall be met at a minimum and total pressure
drop shall not be exceeded. The resulting Recovery Efficiency Ratio, or RER, shall
therefore be met at a minimum.

13. The Heat Pipes shall be ETL or UL listed to UL standard 207.

14. The heat pipe circuits shall be equipped with modulating control valves to control the
operation of the Heat Pipe circuits. Each circuit shall have one modulating step motor valve
in the lower liquid line in an accessible location. Each valve will connect to a control printed
circuit board in a NEMA 12 enclosure that contains the number of control boards to control
all valves in the system and the appropriate power conversion. The NEMA box shall be
located on the exterior surface of the equipment cabinet or on a nearby surface.

15. With all control valves open, the energy recovery heat pipe assembly will operate at full
capacity. Modulating one valve closed restricts the liquid return flow and reduces the heat
transferred by the heat pipe until closing the valve shuts off that circuit. Frost control, if
needed, is accomplished by closing or shutting off one or more circuits. Economizer
operation is also accomplished by shutting off circuits to achieve desired heat transfer.

D. Run-Around Coil Heat Exchangers

1. Heat transfer fluid to be a 30% glycol-water mixture.

2. The run around coil system shall be equipped with modulating control valves to control the
operation of the heat recovery loop. The loop shall have one modulating step motor control
valve in the supply loop, and one modulating step motor valve in a bypass line. Each valve
will connect to a control printed circuit board in a NEMA 12 enclosure that contains the
number of control boards to control all valves in the system and the appropriate power
conversion. The NEMA box shall be located on the exterior surface of the equipment
cabinet or on a nearby surface.

3. The heat recovery loop pump, control valve, and bypass valve will be controlled with
reference to the outdoor air temperature, and air handling unit set point temperatures. A
sequence of operations is to be provided with the drawings.

CASING AND BASE

A. Refer to Section 23 73 00 – Indoor Air Handling Units

FANS

A. Refer to Section 23 34 00 – HVAC Fans.

VARIABLE FREQUENCY DRIVES

A. Refer to Section 23 29 00 – Variable Frequency Drives.

FILTERS

A. Refer to Section 23 41 00 – Particulate Air Filtration.

WATER COILS

A. Provide counter-flow chilled water and hot water coils as scheduled. Provide vertical or
horizontal coil connection entry to unit casing to maximize maintenance accessibility and

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minimize coil piping and valve interference. Cooling and heating coils used for outside air
pretreatment shall have copper fins.

B. Individual coils shall slide into the coil casing through a removable end panel with blank off
sheets and sealing collars at connection penetrations. The coil support steel and coil casing is
to be 304 or 316 stainless steel for cooling coils and hot dipped galvanized carbon steel for
heating coils.

C. Rate coils in accordance with AHRI certified data. Select coil to provide capacity in accordance
with water flow and temperatures scheduled on drawings with maximum pressure drop through
coil as scheduled and a maximum velocity in tubes of 8 feet per second. Provide coil with
maximum allowable face velocity as indicated on drawings.

D. Provide ½-inch or 5/8-inch outside diameter copper tube coils supplied with copper headers,
with a maximum depth of six (6) rows and a maximum of eight (8) fins per inch spacing. Steel
pipe water connections shall be welded to copper headers with silica-bronze weld to prevent
dielectric corrosion of dissimilar metals, or coil connections shall be provided with isolating
devices (such as dielectrically insulated flanges) to extend the life of the coils. If additional rows
are required, pipe coils in series and provide access section between coils.

E. Provide coils with plate fin wall thickness of 0.006-inch and tubes of minimum wall thickness of
0.035-inch for 5/8-inch coils and 0.020 for ½-inch coils. Connect tubes to header that provides
equal flow to all tubes and provide single point connections for supply and return piping per coil.
Factory test all coils to 325 psig and forward coil test reports to engineer with submittal
documentation.

PART 3 - EXECUTION

INSTALLATION

A. Installation shall meet or exceed all applicable federal, state, and local requirements, referenced
standards, and conform to codes and ordinances of authorities having jurisdiction.

B. Install units in accordance with unit manufacturer's installation requirements in locations

indicated on the drawings and as detailed.

C. Follow the equipment manufacturer’s instructions for handling and installation, and setting up of
ductwork for makeup and exhaust air streams for maximum efficiency.

D. Seal ductwork connections per the applicable related specification to avoid air leakage.

E. Provide adequate spacing and access for cleaning and maintenance of heat recovery coils and
filters.

F. Arrange all water piping to coils so the water circuits are serviceable without having to dismantle
excessive lengths of pipe to remove the coils.

G. Provide the drain valves and vent cocks for each of the coils.

H. Provide strainers ahead of recirculation pumps.

I. Provide certified wiring schematics to the electrical division for the equipment controls.

J. Provide condensate traps to compensate for blow or draw through pressure characteristics.

K. Install filter pressure gauges for both airstreams to measures air pressure drop through heat
recovery unit while in operation.

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L. Install thermometers in both supply and exhaust airstreams at inlet and outlet connections to
heat recovery units.

CONTROLS

A. The Mechanical Design Engineer must provide a Control Diagram and a Control Sequence of
Operation narrative for the heat recovery system. The Control Diagram must include an
equipment schematic and each control input and output (sensor, actuator, VFD, start/stop, etc.)
Typical HVAC Control Diagrams and Sequence of Operations (SOO) templates are available
from the UT PMCS Specifications web page, Supplemental Documents section. The Design
Engineer shall also include the CAD files necessary for the Controls Contractor to complete
their project work. The CAD files must be the same files as those in the project contract.

B. The Building Automation System (BAS) shall provide the sensors necessary for determination
of system operation and the BAS computer shall be programmed to send the operating control
signals to the field devices as required for correct system operation. The control signal shall go
through a BAS interface installed near the heat recovery system. See also the DDC Control
Specification 23 09 23.

TESTING

A. Casing Leakage Test. With unit set in place, leveled and ready to receive duct work
connections, unit shall be tested for casing leakage by sealing all openings and pressurizing to
2.5 times rated pressure (defined as total static pressure of unit) or 10” WG, whichever is
smaller. Maximum allowable leakage rate is 1.5% of rated unit flow. Test is to be performed by
the manufacturer using flow measurement devices and shall be witnessed by a representative
of the Owner’s Test & Balance firm.

B. Fan/Motor Vibration Test. With the unit set in place, leveled, and ductwork attached, the
manufacturer shall perform a final dynamic vibration trim balance to verify the fan/motor
vibration velocity limit over the following operating speed range: equipment with VFDs shall be
checked from 40 to 110% of the rated fan speed. This testing shall be witnessed by a
representative of the Owner’s Test and Balance firm.

C. Failure of the leakage and/or deflection test shall require sealing and bracing of the unit and
retesting until criteria is met. Failure of the trim balance to confirm vibration limit shall require
rebalancing and re-testing until criteria is met. Contractor shall bear all costs involved in the
modifications, balancing, and re-testing, including travel and hourly costs associated with the
representatives of the Owner’s Test and Balance firm.

TRAINING

A. Provide services of manufacturer’s technical representative for four (4) hours to train and
instruct owner about the operation and maintenance requirements of the heat recovery
equipment.

 
END OF SECTION 23 72 00

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