An air curtain creates an invisible air barrier using a surprisingly simple mechanism. Here’s a detailed breakdown of its operation:
Air Intake:
The unit draws in air, typically from the conditioned space on the interior side.
Fan and Acceleration:
A fan inside the air curtain rapidly accelerates the incoming air, increasing its velocity.
Plenum and Distribution:
The high-speed air enters a chamber called a plenum. This plenum acts like a holding area, ensuring an even distribution of airflow across the entire length of the unit.
Discharge Nozzle and Air Vanes:
The pressurized air then channels towards a narrow discharge nozzle running along the front of the air curtain. Airfoil-shaped vanes within the nozzle help shape the airflow into a uniform, high-velocity stream with minimal turbulence.
Airflow Direction:
The angle of these vanes can be adjusted to control the direction of the air stream. Typically, the air is directed downwards at a slight angle to create a forceful curtain that reaches the floor.
Airflow Split:
Interestingly, around 80% of the discharged air actually curves downwards and then gets re-entrained back towards the intake side of the air curtain. This recirculation helps maintain a continuous flow of air. The remaining 20% of the air travels outwards, forming the invisible air barrier.
Maintaining the Barrier:
By constantly replenishing the outflowing air, the air curtain effectively creates a high-velocity stream that disrupts the natural flow of air between the two environments. This prevents warm or cold air, dust, fumes, and even flying insects from easily crossing the threshold.
Here are some additional points to consider:
- Some air curtains incorporate heating or cooling elements to further enhance their temperature control capabilities.
- The effectiveness of an air curtain depends on factors like the size of the opening, the air velocity it produces, and the proper adjustment of the discharge angle.
Overall, an air curtain’s seemingly simple operation creates a powerful air barrier that offers a multitude of benefits for various environments.
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