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A 'regenerative heat exchanger' is a type of heat exchanger where the flow periodically reverses directions. This type of heat exchanger can have thermal efficiency as high as 95% to 99%, transferring almost all the relative heat energy from one fluid flow to the other. The fluid at each end is at essentially a constant temperature, regardless of the flow direction.
In regenerative heat exchangers the fluid on either side of the heat exchanger is nearly always the same fluid, because the two flow streams will inevitably mix. The fluid is cycled through the heat exchanger, often reaching high temperatures. The fluid may go through a chemical operation, and then it is cooled down as it passes back through the heat exchanger.
This device gives a considerable net savings in energy, since most of the heat energy is reclaimed. Only a small amount of extra heat is added to make up losses, even while maintaining a high temperature. The cooled working fluid can be removed with very little net loss of heat.

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Also see

Also see

★ Countercurrent exchange

★ Economizer

★ Heat exchanger