Drain Pan for Thermal heat Wheel Section Required or Not?

[Sadhath]

Can anyone clarify me whether the drain pan is required for the Thermal heat Wheel Section or not?
Because I referred several images of the various manufacturer. Noone has provided the Drain Pan @ bottom of the Heat Wheel Section.
Whereas they provided the Drain Pan for the Plate Heat Exchanger Section.

 

[dbill74]

No idea what you are talking about. We need a lot more information if you want an answer.

 

[ZDR1985]

Possible condensation in plate heat exchanger?

 

[SAK9]

A drain pan is required if you are cooling humid outdoor air with conditioned exhaust air irrespective of whether it is a plate heat exchanger or thermal wheel.Just plot the conditions on a psychrometric chart to see the extent of dehumidification.

 

[EnergyProfessional]

I've never seen an ERV (wheel or plate type with a drain pan and piping to drain. I know some small residential types have a drain....

If you have condensation (and no freezing) I assume you would soak up the fabric. A wheel ERV has hygroskopic coating, and a plate ERV has some "paper"type material. but i assume only when it is freezing you really have condensation, but then the material will just plug up. IOf you have that danger (i.e. using humidifier in winter) you either need to pre-heat air, or jog the wheel. dP sensors would detect a plugged wheel.

I would talk to manufacturers, i really have a hard time if you go to Semco, or an AHU manufacturer that they even give you the option to add a drain pan.

As I said, I've never seen one, never heard of it outside very small residential ERV. I'm in Wisconsin, if that climate information helps. YMMV.

 

[MTES93]

Typically in cold climates the drain is for the exhaust air stream and again primarily on plate-type heat exchangers. However wheels can frost as well. Pan and drain used to remove condensate.

see link...

http://www.greenheck.com/media/pdf/catalogs/ERV_catalog.pdf