The most integral part of cleanrooms is the AHU, or air handling unit. The AHU components are responsible for circulating air. They also regulate air according to the environmental control system of the building. The AHU comprises a large metal box comprising of the cooling and heating elements, dampers, fans, filters, and other necessary components, and is an important aspect of cleanroom furniture.
Working principle of AHU components:
The working principle of an AHU comprises several steps that help circulate and condition the air within the building. The following are the important AHU components and their functionalities.
- The AHU will pull fresh air from the outdoor atmosphere, purify it, and then return it to the building.
- The second is the air mixing component that helps to control the ratio of the return air to the fresh outside air. This helps to balance the air quality and energy efficiency of the unit.
- The third stage is the filtration unit. The mixed air passes through its filters to remove pollen, dust, and other airborne particles.
- Air conditioning is the most vital component of cleanroom furniture.
- In the heating and cooling unit, air passes through the coils to adjust the temperature.
- The heating coils use hot water or steam, and the cooling coils use refrigerant and chilled water.
- The dehumidification and humidification units adjust the humidity level in the unit to attain the desired level.
- The fans in the cleanroom furniture will help to move the conditioned air back into the ductwork, which helps to distribute the air throughout the building. The air returned from the air will get recirculated, and some air will be expelled as exhaust.
- The air is expelled through the exhaust, often with the help of an energy recovery ventilator that reclaims energy from the outgoing air.
What does an air handling unit do?
The air handling unit or AHU stands for return air system. Its fundamental operation is as follows.
- The outside air will get mixed with the air indoors
- The mixed air will then get filtered to remove the dangerous components such as dust, organic particles, soot etc.
- To accomplish this purpose, the AHU will comprise a number of components such as filters, heating and cooling coils, fans, etc.
- AHUs are part of the cleanroom furniture and come in diverse forms and varieties. They can be made of different materials, preferably steel or aluminum
Typical traits of AHUs that enhance their performance and productivity
Th Air handling units have many diverse qualities, each designed to suit different uses. The typical AHU components and their uses are as follows.
- VVariable-speedfan: This is the most important component of the AHU, as it helps transport air in and out of the unit. The speed and function of the fan can be altered as needed.
- Adjustable temperature controls: This feature allows us to set the temperature of the unit according to our requirements while maintaining optimal comfort.
- Controlling the level of humidity: A humidifier helps add moisture to the air to ensure that the humidity levels of the building are maintained at appropriate levels. It also helps filter pollen, dust, and other airborne pollutants, ensuring that the air stays fresh and clean. A humidifier also mitigates the chances of developing respiratory issues, mold formatio, etc.,c in the rest of the cleanroom furniture.
FAQ:
What are the different types of AHUs available?
The different types of AHUs are horizontal floor mounted AHU, vertical-mounted AHU, smart AHUs with controllers, ceiling suspended AHU, etc.
Bottom Line:
AHUs are a must have in HVAC systems, which are a part of the cleanroom furniture. They help in distributing the air throughout the structure and they also ensure that the level of temperature and humidity are maintained at optimal levels. AHUs are available in different sizes and designs and can be single or multiple zone systems.
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