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Construction Tech Review | Tuesday, December 29, 2020
Traditional selection software only helps manufacturers do half of the job when it comes to custom air handler manufacturing. Installation, maintenance, and cleaning are all elements that must be considered while designing an AHU.
Fremont, CA
More than CFM and other performance measures go into designing a custom AHU (air handling unit). Taking into account all of the aspects that can affect overall lifetime cost is part of what makes an excellent AHU design. Installation, maintenance, and cleaning are the three important factors that must be considered throughout the design phase to keep overall expenditures under control.
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Designing for AHU Installation Ease
When engineers develop custom AHUs, one of the most critical aspects they consider is the ease of installation. Despite the fact that it is merely a one-time fee, it can lead to wasteful spending. Here are some things to think about:
• The general layout, the number of over-and-under tunnels, the number of side-by-side tunnels, and the overall dimensions
• Weight distribution and overall unit weight (Easier installation with lightweight divided pieces)
• The quantity and size of split sections may have a favorable or negative impact on the AHU's ease of installation if not taken into account.
Designing for AHU Maintenance Ease
Maintenance is by far the most critical element that influences how air handling units are planned and engineered after the performance. Companies can cut maintenance expenses over the life of the AHU by selecting the proper components for the job.
Some of its important components are:
• Arrangement of the motor: a direct drive motor with the fan wheel linked to the motor shaft vs. a sophisticated and maintenance-prone three-belt drive motor
• Heat exchanger type: Energy recovery wheel units, with their motors, electronics, and other moving elements, require more maintenance than plate heat exchangers, which have no moving parts or electronics.
• Types of filters: Longer-lasting extended media filters vs. normal cartridge filters, which allow for longer periods between filter changes.
Designing for AHU cleaning ease
Certain design options can make cleaning an AHU easier or harder in the long run, affecting maintenance and the equipment's longevity.
The following are some significant variables to consider:
• Filtration: the type and location of filtration can have a significant impact on how frequently the air handling unit needs to be cleaned.
• Fin spacing and coil depth: the higher the FPI (fins per inch), the more difficult cleaning and maintenance becomes.
•Insulation: Choosing proper insulation for the perforated liner part in the cabinet walls is commonly disregarded. Antimicrobial compounds are available from insulation manufacturers to prevent the growth of organisms in insulated walls.
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