An air-to-air heat exchanger transfers heat between two air streams without mixing them, often used for energy recovery in ventilation systems, industrial processes, or HVAC applications. When made from polymer polypropylene (PP), it leverages the material’s unique properties to offer a lightweight, corrosion-resistant alternative to traditional metal-based designs.
Why Polypropylene?
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- Corrosion Resistance: PP is highly resistant to chemical degradation, making it ideal for environments with corrosive gases or pollutants where metals like aluminum or steel might degrade.
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- Low Thermal Conductivity: PP has a thermal conductivity of about 0.1–0.22 W/m·K, much lower than metals (e.g., aluminum at ~200 W/m·K). However, this limitation can be offset by designing thin walls and maximizing surface area to enhance heat transfer efficiency.
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- Lightweight: PP’s density (~0.9 g/cm³) makes it significantly lighter than metals, reducing installation and structural support costs.
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- Cost-Effective: PP is generally cheaper than metals like stainless steel or titanium, and its moldability supports scalable production.
- Temperature Range: PP can operate effectively between -25°C to +100°C (or slightly higher depending on the grade), suitable for many air-to-air applications, though it’s less tolerant of extreme heat compared to metals.
Air to air heat exchanger made of polymer PP material
