The King of New Materials —— Graphene-Modified Polymer Membrane Heat Exchange Cores

Ultra-high total heat exchange efficiency? Ultra-low air resistance, strong airtightness, and stable airflow? Antibacterial, anti-mold, and washable? The extraordinary applications of graphene-modified polymer membranes are constantly appearing in our field of vision. These numerous advantages make it seem like an omnipotent super material. But what exactly is a graphene-modified membrane? What characteristics make it a revolutionary product for heat exchange energy savings?

Based on these questions, China Fresh Air Network had the honor of interviewing , a company specializing in the R&D and production of graphene-modified polymer membranes. Let's talk with Mr. Wan Ziqian, General Manager of Fortuneway, about the application and prospects of polymer membrane heat exchange cores in fresh air systems.

General Manager, Mr. Wan

Interview

China Fresh Air Network: Industry insiders have likely heard of graphene, but what kind of material is it exactly? Could you give a layperson's introduction for our netizens?

Mr. Wan: As the thinnest, strongest, and most conductive (both thermally and electrically) new nanomaterial discovered to date, graphene is known as "black gold." Scientists even predict that graphene will "completely change the 21st century." It has always been favored by researchers and is indeed worthy of the title "King of New Materials."

China Fresh Air Network: What opportunity led your company to start the R&D and production of polymer membrane-type total heat exchange cores?

Mr. Wan: The characteristics of graphene are destined to bring earth-shaking changes to many industries. This is also why Fortuneway began paying attention to graphene. Our R&D team is dedicated to studying what convenience graphene might bring to our industry, our fresh air systems, and our users.

We know that existing cores in the fresh air market are mainly paper cores. Paper cores have many obvious shortcomings, such as being prone to mold, short lifespan (generally 2-3 years), poor airtightness, and poor strength. After deeply understanding the market's pain points and needs, Fortuneway, based on years of experience in R&D and production of polymer materials, discovered that cores produced with polymer membranes and frames happen to have excellent performance in these aspects. By adding a certain proportion of graphene to the membrane material, we significantly improved its thermal conductivity and tensile strength. At the same time, utilizing its high specific surface area, we grafted antibacterial functional groups to achieve a long-lasting anti-mold and antibacterial effect. It can be said to have solved all the drawbacks and pain points of paper cores.

China Fresh Air Network: What significant achievements has your company made so far on the road of R&D for total heat exchange cores?

Mr. Wan: Fortuneway's launch of the "Graphene-Modified Polymer Membrane (Fortuneway Membrane)" was not achieved overnight. It was the result of years of technical R&D, market research, and accumulated experience, gradually seeking the most effective solutions and continuously optimizing membrane performance to create truly high-quality membrane materials that meet the needs of manufacturers and consumers.Since its establishment, the company has applied for and received acceptance for more than ten invention and utility model patents, and invested over one million RMB to establish an enthalpy difference laboratory. While conducting technical R&D, we also balance customer needs for performance and cost.

China Fresh Air Network: Compared with other heat exchange cores, what are the outstanding advantages of polymer membrane total heat exchange cores?

Mr. Wan: Adding a certain proportion of graphene to polymer materials greatly highlights the advantages of combining the two materials, which can be summarized as follows:

1. High Enthalpy Efficiency: Compared with common corrugated paper cores on the market, Fortuneway cores of the same specifications have about 10% higher enthalpy efficiency. To achieve the same efficiency, a paper core would need to increase its volume by more than 50%. If we aim for the same efficiency as a paper core, the Fortuneway core can be smaller, which is more conducive to optimizing the structure of the fresh air unit.

2. Long-lasting Anti-mold and Antibacterial: Compared to paper, polymer materials themselves are less prone to bacterial growth. We have also added long-lasting antibacterial materials to make this performance particularly outstanding.

3. Long Service Life: Fortuneway cores are made entirely of polymer materials, with a service life of over 10 years.

4. Washable: Can be rinsed with clean water after accumulating dust without affecting performance.

5. Low Air Resistance: Compared to corrugated paper cores of the same specifications, air resistance is about 30% lower.

6. High Airtightness: Fortuneway cores achieve an average airtightness of over 98%.

7. Low Dew Point: No ice blockage phenomena will occur even when used at -20°C.

China Fresh Air Network: Polymer membrane materials have many significant advantages over other core materials, but in terms of price, will it bring too much cost pressure to fresh air unit manufacturers?

Mr. Wan: "Quality" and "cost-performance ratio" are two major elements that users care about. No matter how good a product is, if it's unaffordable, it's meaningless. Guided by the concept of "reliable quality, affordable price," we effectively control costs in every link from product design and production to assembly. Under the premise of the same quality core, our price is already lower than many paper cores.

China Fresh Air Network: How do you view the current core market, and what long-term impact do you think graphene-modified polymer membranes will have on the fresh air industry?

Mr. Wan: The is one of the core components of a bidirectional flow fresh air unit. It is essentially a highly efficient and energy-saving heat recovery device that well resolves the contradiction between improving indoor air quality and energy saving. Currently, paper heat exchange cores account for the majority, but graphene-modified polymer membrane heat exchange cores, with their attributes of high heat exchange rates, high humidity recovery rates, smooth surfaces with low air resistance, and extremely long service life, have become the best choice for energy saving and environmental protection. They will eventually play an irreplaceable role in the field of energy saving for fresh air systems.

Currently, most core manufacturers are small and scattered, with low investment in R&D, making it difficult to achieve large-scale production, resulting in relatively high costs for manufacturers. It's hard to see high-quality products at low prices in the market. We are trying to make some efforts to change this situation. The company has planned a production capacity target of 1.5 million units/year, and the new factory building will be fully operational this October, providing the highest quality products for manufacturers, the industry, and users.

About Fortuneway

Zhongshan Fortuneway Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. is a technology-based enterprise integrating design, R&D, production, and sales. The company specializes in the R&D and production of (dedicated) total heat exchange cores for fresh air system equipment. We are committed to providing customers with high-performance, high-quality total heat exchange core products and a complete service system, offering excellent energy-saving products and solutions for the fresh air industry.

Our self-developed and produced polymer membrane total heat exchange cores have highly efficient total heat recovery efficiency. The membrane material has long-lasting antibacterial and anti-mold functions and is washable, overcoming the shortcomings of traditional paper cores such as being prone to mold, non-washable, and short lifespan. It has also passed evaluations by professional institutions and gained customer recognition.

Our company has obtained ISO9001:2015 Quality Management System Certification. Our products have passed environmental tests such as RoHS, REACH, and DINP. We currently maintain close and stable cooperative relationships with many well-known domestic and foreign fresh air enterprises, home appliance giants, and real estate developers.