Heat Recovery 237

ment, but condensation of moisture (latent heat) from the hot air
on the fins improves recovery performance. This type of heat
exchanger uses a counter flow pattern. Other heat pipe exchang-
ers use parallel flow. The temperature range of heat pipe exchang-
ers is from below zero to over 1000°Fdb.

Run-around System
The coils of a run-around heat recovery system for HVAC
comfort-to-comfort applications are fin-tube type connected by
counter flow piping. A pump circulates water, glycol, or other
liquids through the system. The coils are mounted in different
airstreams connected either in series or parallel to provide the
greatest heat recovery. This system is seasonally reversible, mean-
ing that the exhaust air coil either preheats or precools the outside
air, depending on the season. When the outside air is cooler than
the exhaust air, waste heat is recovered to preheat the outside air.
When the outside air is warmer than the exhaust air, heat is re-
moved from the outside air and, therefore, it is precooled.

Hot Gas Heat Exchangers

The refrigeration cycle of air conditioners and heat pumps
provides an opportunity to capture waste heat for heating domes-
tic water. HVAC compressors concentrate heat by compressing
gaseous (vapor) refrigerant. The resultant superheated gas is nor-
mally pumped to a condenser for heat rejection. However, a hot
gas-to-water heat exchanger may be placed into the refrigerant
line between the compressor and the condenser coils to capture a
portion of the rejected heat. In this system, water is looped be-
tween the water storage tank and the heat exchanger when the
HVAC system is on. Heat pumps operating in the heating mode
do not have waste heat because the hot gas is used for space
heating. The heat pump, however, can still heat water more effi-
ciently compared to electric resistance heating.

Double Bundle Condensers

Double bundle condensers contain two sets of water tubes
238 HVAC Fundamentals

bundled within the condenser shell. Heat is rejected from the

system by releasing superheated gas into the shell and removing
the refrigerant condensers by one of two methods. During the
heating season, water pumped through the “winter bundle” ab-
sorbs heat where it is used for heating domestic water or heating
the perimeter of the building. During the cooling season, water
pumped through the “summer bundle” rejects heat to the cooling
tower after hot water needs are met.

Heat Jackets
Heat exchangers can be placed in exhausts of reciprocating
engines and gas turbines to capture heat for water heating sys-
tems or steam generation. Water jackets may also be placed on
engines in order to capture heat from the engine exhausts in se-
ries.

Hot Flue Gas Heat Exchanger

Hot flue gases from boilers can provide a source of waste
heat for a variety of uses. The most common use is pre-heating
boiler feed water. Heat exchangers used in flues must be con-
structed to withstand the highly corrosive nature of cooled flue
gases.

Hot Drain Heat Exchangers

Kitchens and laundries offer the greatest opportunities for
this type of heat recovery. Steam systems for space heating or
kitchen facilities can recover some of the heat contained in hot
condensate. Condensate is continuously formed in steam systems
when steam loses heat in the distribution lines or when it per-
forms work. A condensate receiver reduces steam to atmospheric
pressure to allow reintroduction into the boiler. A heat exchanger
located in the condensate return before the receiver can capture
condensate heat for heating water.

Heat Pump Water Heater

Rooms containing laundries and food preparation facilities