A recuperator is a heat exchanger that transfers heat from a hot fluid to a colder fluid without mixing the two. Recuperators are used in many applications, including:
- Gas turbines: Use the hot exhaust air to preheat the combustion air
- Furnaces: Recover heat for use in the furnace
- Ventilation systems: Improve energy efficiency by reducing the amount of fuel or additional heat needed
Recuperator are often designed with counterflow arrangements, where the fluids move in opposite directions to increase heat exchange efficiency. This mechanism is especially useful in systems where fluid purity is important, as it prevents cross-contamination.