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Published in 8 August, 2024
Energy wheels, or rotary heat exchangers, transfer sensible or latent energy (or both) between the exhaust air and the incoming outside air.
At KAUST, the main laboratory buildings use energy wheels for energy recovery.
Make sure to follow the Ventilation Systems Connected to the Energy Wheel Guidelines.
Here are some other resources to work safely.
Most of KAUST ventilation system in research buildings include energy wheels that have the potential of cross leakage. Only few locations have access to dedicated exhaust system. Please consult with FM for more information.
Additionally, limited lab spaces and fume hoods have coated exhaust ducts to handle high concentrations of acids. To prevent damage to the facilities please consult with FM for more information or include considerations for dedicated and coated exhaust ventilation.
Chemicals that severely affect exhaust ducts include hydrochloric acid, perchloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid, etc. (see some other examples in the table below)
| Hydrochloric Acid | Perchloric Acid | Hydrofluoric Acid |
| Nitric Acid | Sulfuric Acid | Tetramethylammonium hydroxide |
| Aqua Regia | Base Baths | Hydrogen peroxide |
| Ammonium hydroxide | Pyridine | Hydrogen Cyanide |
| Trifluoroacetic acid | Hydrogen chloride | Ammonia |
| Fluorine | Chlorine | Piranha Solutions |
Appropriate coated and dedicated exhaust or scrubber systems need to be considered while handling large amounts of the above chemicals at KAUST – especially while heating, acid digestion and as products of reactions.
