05-11

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

SPEC WRITER NOTE: Delete between //----//

if not applicable to project. Also delete
any other item or paragraph not applicable
in the section and renumber the
paragraphs.

PART 1 - GENERAL
1.1 DESCRIPTION
This Section specifies //air to air heat pipe heat exchangers //rotary
air-to-air heat exchangers //air-to-air plate heat exchangers //and
//run-around heat recovery systems//.
1.2 RELATED WORK
A. Section 01 00 00, GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: Requirements for pre-test of
equipment.
//B. Section 13 05 41, SEISMIC RESTRAINT REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-STRUCTURAL
COMPONENTS: Seismic requirements for non-structural equipment.//
C. Section 23 05 11, COMMON WORK RESULTS FOR HVAC: General mechanical
requirements and items, which are common to more than one section of
Division 23.
D. Section 23 21 23, HYDRONIC PUMPS: Requirements for pumping equipment.
E. Section 23 07 11, HVAC and BOILER PLANT INSULATION: Requirements for
piping insulation.
F. Section 23 21 13, HYDRONIC PIPING: Requirements for piping for expansion
tanks.
G. Section 23 82 16, AIR COILS: Requirements for run-around system coils.
H. Section 23 31 00, HVAC DUCTS and CASINGS: Requirements for sheet metal
ducts and fittings.
I. Section 23 40 00, HVAC AIR CLEANING DEVICES: Requirements for filters
used before heat recovery coils.
J. Section 23 09 23, DIRECT-DIGITAL CONTROL SYSTEM FOR HVAC: Requirements
for controls and instrumentation.
K. Section 23 05 93, TESTING, ADJUSTING and BALANCING FOR HVAC:
Requirements for testing, adjusting and balancing of HVAC system.
L. Section 23 08 00 COMMISSIONING OF HVAC SYSTEMS: Requirements for
commissioning, systems readiness checklists, and training.
M. Section 01 91 00 GENERAL COMMISSIONING REQUIREMENTS

23 72 00-1
 05-11

1.3 QUALITY ASSURANCE

A. Refer to paragraph, GUARANTEE in specification Section 00 72 00, GENERAL
CONDITIONS.
B. Refer to specification Section 01 00 00, GENERAL REQUIREMENTS for
performance tests and instructions to VA personnel.
C. Refer to paragraph QUALITY ASSURANCE in specification Section 23 05 11,
COMMON WORK RESULTS FOR HVAC.
D. Performance Criteria: Heat recovery equipment shall be provided by a
manufacturer who has been manufacturing such equipment and the equipment
has a good track record for at least 3 years.
E. Performance Test: In accordance with PART 3.
1.4 SUBMITTALS
A. Submit in accordance with Section 01 33 23, SHOP DRAWINGS, PRODUCT DATA,
and SAMPLES.
B. Manufacturer's Literature and Data:
1. Heat Pipe Heat Exchanger
2. Rotary Heat Exchanger
3. Plate Heat Exchanger
4. Run-Around Energy Recovery System
C. Certificate: Submit, simultaneously with shop drawings, an evidence of
satisfactory service of the equipment on three similar installations.
D. Submit type, size, arrangement and performance details. Present
application ratings in the form of tables, charts or curves.
E. Provide installation, operating and maintenance instructions, in
accordance with Article, INSTRUCTIONS, in Section 01 00 00, GENERAL
REQUIREMENTS.
F. Completed System Readiness Checklists provided by the Commissioning
Agent and completed by the contractor, signed by a qualified technician
and dated on the date of completion, in accordance with the requirements
of Section 23 08 00 COMMISSIONING OF HVAC SYSTEMS.
1.5 APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS
A. The publications listed below form a part of this specification to the
extent referenced. The publications are referenced in the text by the
basic designation only.
B. Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI)
AHRI 1060-2005..........Performance Rating of Air-to-Air Heat Exchangers
for Energy Recovery Ventilation Equipment

23 72 00-2
 05-11

C. American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

Engineers (ASHRAE):
15-10...................Safety Standard for Refrigeration Systems (ANSI)
52.1-92.................Gravimetric and Dust-Spot Procedures for Testing
Air-Cleaning Devices Used in General Ventilation
for Removing Particulate Matter
52.2-07.................Method of Testing General Ventilation Air-
Cleaning Devices for Removal Efficiency by
Particle Size
84-08...................Method of Testing Air-to-Air Heat/Energy
Exchangers
D. American Society for Testing and materials (ASTM)
D635-10.................Standard Test Method for Rate of Burning and/or
Extent and Time of Burning of Plastics in a
Horizontal Position
E84-10..................Standard Test Method for Surface Burning
Characteristics of Building Materials
E. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
ASCE 7-10...............Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other
Structures
F. Underwriters Laboratories, Inc (UL)
1812-2009...............Standard for Ducted Heat Recovery Ventilators
1815-2009...............Standard for Nonducted Heat Recovery Ventilators
PART 2 - PRODUCTS
DESIGNERS NOTE: For high-humidity
locations (VA HVAC Design Manual), provide
copper tubes and copper fins. See Section
23 82 16, AIR COILS for details
2.1 AIR-TO-AIR HEAT PIPE HEAT EXCHANGERS
A. Thermal recovery units shall be capable of operating at temperatures
ranging from a minimum of -29 degrees C (-20 degrees F) to a maximum of
49 degrees C (120 degrees F). The heat transfer between air streams
shall take place in a counterflow arrangement. The unit shall have no
moving part and shall be one piece construction.
B. Tube core shall be either 18-mm (5/8 inch) or 25-mm (1 inch) OD seamless
//aluminum//copper// tubing permanently expanded into the fins to form a
firm, rigid and complete metal pressure contact between the tube and fin

23 72 00-3
 05-11

collar of all operating conditions. For high-humidity locations, provide

copper tunes and copper fins.
C. Fin: //Aluminum//Integral aluminum//copper//
1. Fin Spacing: //3.2 mm (0.125 inch)//2.3 mm (0.091 inch)//1.8 mm
(0.071 inch)//1.7 mm (0.067 inch)//1.4 mm (0.056 inch)//0.2 mm
(0.0075 inch)//
2. Fin and Tube Joint: Mechanical bond and silver brazed.
D. Coating: //Thermoplastic vinyl//epoxy//Synthetic
resin//phenolic//Polytetrafluoroethylene//Vinyl ester// apply to supply
and exhaust.
E. Secondary surfaces shall be of continuous plate type aluminum fins, 0.18
mm (0.007 inch) thick, and of corrugated design to produce maximum heat
transfer efficiencies.
F. Basic capillary wick shall be an integral part of the inner wall of the
tube and provide a completely wetted surface for maximum heat pipe
capacity with minimum heat transfer resistance.
G. Refrigerants used shall be approved by EPA.
H. Exhaust and supply airstreams shall be separated from each other by a
vertical partition, so that there will be no cross-contamination.
1. Partition Material: //Galvanized steel //Stainless steel//.
2. Partition Material Thickness: 1.7 mm (16-Gauge).
I. Casing shall be a minimum of 1.9 mm (14-Gauge) galvanized steel flanged
casing, with airtight partition between airstreams.
J. End covers shall be a minimum of 1.0 mm (20-Gauge) galvanized steel.
K. Tilt-Control Mechanism: For summer-winter operation with an electric
actuator; and having control panels and sensing bulbs as shown on the
drawings.
SPEC WRITER NOTE: Show control panels and
sensing bulbs on drawings
L. Provide flexible connectors for each side of the unit. The flexible
connector shall be fabricated in a manner that will allow the unit to
tilt without binding.
//M. Control: Integral plenum containing heat-pipe coil and gasketed, face-
and-bypass, opposed-blade dampers with rods extended outside casing for
damper operator and linkage.//
//N. Control: Pivot center of bottom of heat-pipe coil on shaft and bearings
to tilt coil. Include tilt controls with electric actuator and linkage,
thermostats, sensors, and polyester fabric with PVC-coated flexible

23 72 00-4
 05-11

connector for automatic supply temperature regulation, summer/winter

changeover, and frost protection.//
2.2 ROTARY AIR-TO-AIR HEAT EXCHANGER:
A. Exchanger Rotor or Wheel: Aluminum transfer media with a flame spread
rating of 25 and less and smoke developed rating of 50 and less, and
independently tested in accordance with ASTM standard E-84. Rotor media
shall be independently tested in accordance with ASHRAE Standard 84. It
shall allow laminar flow (but not radial) when operating within
published operating airflow ranges and prevent leakage, bypassing and
cross contamination by cross flow within wheel. Size the transfer media
to allow passage of //300//500//800//1200// micrometers particles
without fouling or clogging. When latent heat transfer is required,
treat media with non-degrading //desiccant//silica-gel desiccant
coating// that is bacteriostatic, non-corroding and non-toxic. No
asbestos material will be allowed. Wheel shall not condense water
directly or require a condensate drain for summer or winter operation.
Performance rating shall be in accordance with AHRI Standard 1060.
DESIGNER NOTE: 3 Angstrom (3A) and 4
Angstrom (4A) molecular sieves desiccant
coatings provide superior protection to
cross contamination.
B. Rotor: //Glass-fiber//Polymer//segmented wheel strengthened with radial
spokes impregnated with non-migrating, water-selected, //3A//4A//
molecular-sieve desiccant coating.
1. Maximum Solid Size for media to pass://500//800//1200//micrometers.//
C. Casings shall be sealed on periphery of rotor as well as on duct divider
and purge section. Seals shall be adjustable, of extended life materials
and effective in limiting air leakage.
D. Wheel shall be supported by ball or roller bearings and belt driven by a
fractional horsepower, totally enclosed, NEMA Standard motor through a
close coupled positively lubricated speed reducer, or gear/chain speed
reduction. Refer to Section 23 05 12, GENERAL MOTOR REQUIREMENTS FOR
HVAC and STEAM GENERATION EQUIPMENT.
1. Motors for constant speed exchanger wheels shall be an AC motor.
2. Variable-speed exchanger wheels shall have exchanger wheel speed and
leaving-air temperature controlled by means of a variable-speed motor
controller. // The speed shall be controlled as noted in paragraph G
below. //Operation shall be from 115/1/60 and by a proportioning

23 72 00-5
 05-11

temperature controller which shall vary output voltage of a silicon

controlled rectifier (SCR) to a rectified power motor which will
change speed in proportion to changes of voltage to its armature.//
Automatic changeover for summar-winter operations shall be controlled
by an adjustable thermoswitch. Set point of adjustable proportioning
temperature controller and thermoswitch shall be indicated on visible
scale. System shall be capable of speed reduction down to 5 percent
of capacity while maintaining adequate torque at any point of
operation to rotate wheel.
E. An automatic, factory-fabricated, field-adjustable purge unit shall
limit exhaust air carry-over to less than 1.0 percent of rated volume.
Purge shall be effective when static pressure difference between supply
and exhaust is 125 Pa (one-half, inch wg) or greater, and it shall have
provision for restriction or adjustment to limit purge air volume to not
over five percent of rated air flow when a static pressure difference up
to 2.5 kPa (10 inch wg) exists.
F. Unit shall be constructed of heavy gage steel to insure rigidity and
stability. Casing side panels shall be removable to insure easy access
to internal parts and have integral flanges for flanged duct connection
and lifting holes or lugs.
G. Controls starting relay shall be factory mounted and wired, and include
a manual motor starter for field wiring. // Variable frequency
controller shall be factory mounted and wired, permitting input of field
connected 4-20 mA or 1-10-V control signal.// Variable frequency
controller shall be factory mounted and wired, with exhaust-air sensor
to vary rotor speed and maintain exhaust temperature above freezing
//Variable frequency controller shall be factory mounted and wired, with
exhaust- and outdoor-air sensors, automatic changeover thermostat and
set-point adjuster, to vary rotor speed and maintain//exhaust
temperature above freezing and// air differential temperature above set
point. When exhaust-air temperature is less than outdoor-air
temperature, the rotor shall be at maximum speed.
//1. Pilot-Light Indicator: Display rotor rotation and speed. Speed
Settings: Adjustable settings for maximum and minimum rotor speed
limits.//
H. Filters: MERV 7, 2-inch throw-away type. Refer to Section 23 40 00 HVAC
Air Cleaning Devices.

23 72 00-6
 05-11

2.3 AIR-TO-AIR PLATE HEAT EXCHANGER

A. Comply with UL Standards 1812.
B. Plates: Corrugated 0.53 mm (0.021 inch)// diamond embossed
aluminum//stainless steel//polypropylene copolymer (high density
plastic)// enthalpic // spacing as recommended by the manufacturer.
C. Bedding: Thermosetting reinforced resin. Provide plate seal-off and
passage separation at top, bottom and center divider. The resins shall
be self-extinguishing type in accordance with ASTM D635.
D. Casing and End Strips: Casing of 1.6 mm (16 gage) galvanized steel,
except casings for corrosive air streams shall be stainless steel. End
strips of the same material as exchanger plates. Ends of unit exchanger
plates shall be sealed with high temperature silicon sealant prior to
installation of end strip for corrosive air streams provide welded end
strips to avoid cross contaminations.
E. Casings shall have integral flanges for flanged duct connections and
shall have lifting holes or lugs.
F. Drain Pan: Same material as unit casing. Drain-pan surface shall be
covered with molded ABS, and shall have drain connections on exhaust and
supply side. Comply with requirements in ASHRAE 62.1-2004.
G. Accessories: Furnish where indicated on the drawings.
1. Face and Bypass Dampers: Manufacturer's standard, complete with
operators, with factory-installed controls to operate face-and-bypass
dampers during summer and winter.
//2. Defrost System. Factory installed and capable of maintaining at least
85 percent of the non-frosted performance at -29 degrees C (-20
degrees F).//
//H. Water Wash: Automatic system with spray manifold to individual spray
tubes or traversing type with stainless-steel-screw operating mechanism
and electric motor drive; activated by time clock with detergent
injection.//
I. Extended-Surface, Disposable Panel Filters: MERV 7, 2-inch throw-away
type. Refer to Section 23 40 00 HVAC Air Cleaning Devices.
SPEC WRITER NOTE: For high-humidity
locations (VA HVAC Design Manual), provide
E-coated aluminum fins.

2.4 RUN-AROUND ENERGY RECOVERY SYSTEM

A. System shall be field fabricated, as shown, containing coils, piping and
____percent glycol, pumps, insulation, and accessories.

23 72 00-7
 05-11

B. Automatic Temperature Controls and Sequence of Operations: As shown on

drawings and as specified in Section 23 09 23, DIRECT-DIGITAL CONTROL
SYSTEM FOR HVAC.//In areas with climates where the outdoor design
temperature is below freezing, the sequence shall include a defrost
cycle to modulate glycol flow to the outdoor air coil as required to
maintain the exhaust air temperature above freezing.//
C. Components shall comply with requirements in the following specification
sections:
1. Pumps: Section 23 21 23, HYDRONIC PUMPS
2. Insulation: Section 23 07 11, HVAC AND BOILER PLANT INSULATION
3. Pipes, Fittings, and Specialties: Section 23 21 13, HYDRONIC PIPING
4. Coils: Section 23 82 16, AIR COILS
5. Controls: Section 23 09 23, DIRECT-DIGITAL CONTROL SYSTEM FOR HVAC
2.5 AIR FILTERS
Air Filters: Disposable air filters, with a MERV rating of 7, shall be
provided //standard on all air entering sides of air-to-air heat
exchangers,// upstream of outdoor air and exhaust run-around loop air
coils// and as indicated on the drawings. Comply with requirements in
specification Section 23 40 00, HVAC AIR CLEANING DEVICES.

PART 3 - EXECUTION
3.1 INSTALLATION
A. Follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions for handling and
installation, and setting up of ductwork for makeup and exhaust air
steamers for maximum efficiency.
B. Rotary Air-to-Air Exchanger: Adjust seals and purge as recommended by
the manufacturer. Verify correct installation of controls.
C. Seal ductwork tightly to avoid air leakage.
D. Install units with adequate spacing and access for cleaning and
maintenance of heat recovery coils as well as filters.
E. Brace heat recovery equipment installed in projects in the Seismic area
according to specification Section 13 05 41, SEISMIC RESTRAINT
REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS.
//F. Secure outdoor heat recovery equipment to withstand a wind velocity of
______km/h (____mph).//
3.2 FIELD QUALITY CONTROL
A. Operational Test: Perform tests as per manufacturers written
instructions for proper and safe operation of the heat recovery system.

23 72 00-8
 05-11

1. After electrical circuitry has been energized, start units to confirm

proper motor rotation and unit operation.
2. Adjust seals and purge.
3. Test and adjust controls and safeties.
B. Replace damaged and malfunctioning controls and equipment.
C. Set initial temperature and humidity set points. Set field-adjustable
switches and circuit-breaker trip ranges as indicated.
D. Prepare test and inspection reports to the Senior Resident Engineer in
accordance with specification Section 01 00 00, GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.
3.3 INSTRUCTIONS
Provide services of manufacturer's technical representative for four
hours to instruct VA personnel in operation and maintenance of heat
recovery equipment.
3.4 STARTUP AND TESTING
A. The Commissioning Agent will observe startup and contractor testing of
selected equipment. Coordinate the startup and contractor testing
schedules with the Resident Engineer and Commissioning Agent. Provide a
minimum of 7 days prior notice.
3.5 COMMISSIONING
A. Provide commissioning documentation in accordance with the requirements
of Section 23 08 00 COMMISSIONING OF HVAC SYSTEMS for all inspection,
start up, and contractor testing required above and required by the
System Readiness Checklist provided by the Commissioning Agent.
B. Components provided under this section of the specification will be
tested as part of a larger system. Refer to Section 23 08 00
COMMISSIONING OF HVAC SYSTEMS and related sections for contractor
responsibilities for system commissioning.
3.6 DEMONSTRATION AND TRAINING
A. Provide services of manufacturers technical representative for four
hours to instruct VA personnel in operation and maintenance of units.
B. Submit training plans and instructor qualifications in accordance with
the requirements of Section 23 08 00 COMMISSIONING OF HVAC SYSTEMS.

- - - E N D - - -

23 72 00-9