Recuperator
A recuperator is a type of heat exchanger designed to recover waste heat from hot exhaust gases and transfer it to incoming fresh air or fuel, improving overall energy efficiency. It's commonly used in industrial applications, HVAC systems, and combustion processes.
How it works
The recuperator captures heat that would otherwise be lost through exhaust or flue gases and uses it to preheat incoming air or fuel. This heat recovery process reduces the energy needed to bring fresh inputs up to operating temperature.
Common applications:
- Gas turbines and jet engines (where it preheats combustion air)
- Industrial furnaces and kilns
- HVAC systems (recovering heat from exhaust air)
- Waste heat recovery in power plants
- Glass manufacturing and metal processing
