Regenerator : Introduction

The regenerator represents a class ofheat exchangers in which heat is alternately stored and removed from a surface. This heat transfer surface is usually referred to as the matrix ofthe regenerator. For continuous operation, the matrix must be moved into and out ofthe fixed hot and cold fluid streams. In this case, the regenerator is called a rotary regenerator. If, on the other hand, the hot and cold fluid streams are switched into and out ofthe matrix, the regenerator is referred to as a fixed matrix regenerator. In both cases the regenerator suffers from leakage and fluid entrainment problems, which must be considered during the design process.

An example ofa rotary regenerator is shown in Fig. below. This is the Lungstrom air preheater used in power plants to warm the incoming combustion air using the exhaust or flue gases from the steam generator.

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A Lungstrom air preheater.